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Criterion
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
Design sheets and interface cards connect to jointly written pseudocode with highlighted unresolved questions.
Architecture
ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)
Paper illustration for ALPEN Method
Operations
ALPEN Method
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
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.ARID examines how well developers can work with a technical design. It focuses on a part of the system that can still be revised, between the architecture overview and the detailed specification.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
1-2 Tage2–4 h review as a planning range; preparation and evaluation additional10-20 min daily15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
1-4Designers, developers as users, and facilitation11-3
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewPrioritized development tasks, Jointly produced code or pseudocode, Observed difficulties and open design questions, Proposed design revisionsDaily Plan, Time Estimates, Review NotesADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
ArchitectureEngineeringFeedbackValidationTasks
PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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