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| Criterion |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Discovery MVP Test Matrix |  Product Discovery Experiment Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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 several minimal variants compete to answer the same question, it makes comparing and choosing between them cleaner. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence. The result is captured as a Test Matrix and a Test Plan. | When experiments become unreadable after the fact, it arranges hypothesis, signal, and learning goal on a single canvas. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence. The result is captured as a Completed Experiment Canvas and a Success Metric. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 10-20 min daily | 15-45 min | 45-75 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1 | 1-3 | 2-8 | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Test Matrix, Test Plan | Completed Experiment Canvas, Success Metric |
Tagsno overlap | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ExperimentsValidationDiscoveryOptions | ExperimentsValidationDiscoveryHypothesis |