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Selected:Affinity DiagrammingArchitecture Decision RecordViews and BeyondArchitecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Affinity Diagramming | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Architecture Views and Beyond | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | 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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 15-45 min | 1-3 Tage | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-3 | 1-4 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



