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| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |  Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | A Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once. | A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots. | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 2-6 h | 20-45 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-8 | 1-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics |