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Criterion
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
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 Smoke Test.
Product Discovery
Smoke Test
Purposedifferent
arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes.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 demand only needs to be roughly verified, it tests interest with minimal effort. It measures whether people would take a next step at all.
Complexitysame
LowLowLow
Timedifferent
1-2 Tage15-45 min1-5 Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-41-3Nutzertraffic
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewADR File, Decision Log, RationaleInterest Metrics, Conversion Signal, Learning Note
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ValidationExperimentsDemandGrowth
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration for Fake Door Test
Product Discovery
Fake Door Test
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas
Paper illustration of a calm four-quadrant Assumption Map with hypothesis cards and emphasis on important assumptions with little evidence.
Product Discovery
Assumption Mapping