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Criterion
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration for TOWS Matrix.
Business Strategy
TOWS Matrix
Paper illustration for Option Framing.
Decision Making
Option Framing
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.The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking.In early decisions, alternatives are often still vague, incomplete, or blended together. Option Framing brings every possibility into a comparable form and makes visible which variant actually fits the question.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min1-2 h45-120 min
Participantsdifferent
1-33-103-8
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleTOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority ActionsOption Frames, Assumption Notes, Comparable Shortlist, Decision Inputs
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
StrategyAnalysisOptions
OptionsDecision framingStrategyComparison
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Decision Framing Workshop.
Decision Making
Decision Framing Workshop
Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP Analysis
Paper illustration of a six-field PESTLE grid
Business Strategy
PESTLE Analysis