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Criterion
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights Mapping
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
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.In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLow
Timedifferent
45–90 min90-180 min15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
3-104-121-3
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopAsync
Outputdifferent
Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areasDecision Rights Matrix, AgreementADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Architecture Inception Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Inception Canvas