View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Team Design Team Topologies Interaction Modes | ![]() Team Design Team API |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 several teams collaborate repeatedly, it describes the right interaction mode for each interface between them. It clarifies responsibility, interaction, and load between teams. The result is captured as an interaction heat map and pairwise agreements. | When expectations between teams stay fuzzy, it describes how a team can be reached, used, and held accountable. It clarifies responsibility, interaction, and load between teams. The result is captured as a Team API document. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min | Half day | Half day initial, dann laufend |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1-3 | Team-Leads plus Architecture | Ein Team plus Stakeholder |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Interaction Heat Map, Agreements per Pair | Team API Document |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | TeamAlignmentCollaborationOrganization | TeamAlignmentCommunicationService |



