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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() UX Design Service Blueprinting | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | When a service experience is spread across several touchpoints, it brings frontstage and backstage together. It shows where user contact and internal responsibility must fit. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | When a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 0.5-2 Tage | 1-2 Tage | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 6-12 | 1-4 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Service Blueprint, Fail Points, Ownership Map | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Service designOperationsJourneyBlueprint | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | JourneyServiceService design |



