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 Communication Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Views and Beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 60-120 min | 15-45 min | 1-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 2-8 | 1-3 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale |
Tags1 shared | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture |