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Selected:arc42Architecture Inception CanvasArchitecture Communication CanvasArchitecture Decision Record
| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h | 60-120 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-8 | 2-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tags1 shared | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |