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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 of a participant using a prototype while an observer takes notes beside a highlighted usability issue.
UX Research
Usability Testing
Design sheets and interface cards connect to jointly written pseudocode with highlighted unresolved questions.
Architecture
ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)
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 product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down.ARID examines how well developers can work with a technical design. It focuses on a part of the system that can still be revised, between the architecture overview and the detailed specification.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min1-2 h je Session2–4 h review as a planning range; preparation and evaluation additional
Participantsdifferent
1-3Based on research questionDesigners, developers as users, and facilitation
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleUsability Issues, Severity List, RecommendationsPrioritized development tasks, Jointly produced code or pseudocode, Observed difficulties and open design questions, Proposed design revisions
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ValidationUXPrototype
ArchitectureEngineeringFeedbackValidationTasks
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

A paper-based illustration representing Design Sprint with its core stages and visible working result.
Innovation
Design Sprint
First-click Testing method illustration showing its working structure
UX Research
First-click Testing
Paper illustration for Golden Path
Engineering
Golden Path