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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Innovation Design Charrette | ![]() Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | In a tightly timed design process with many participants, the method pools several lines of thinking in a short time. It brings parallel design energy without letting the discussion tip into endless coordination. This quickly produces solid directions for architecture or space. | 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 Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | Halber Tag bis mehrere Tage | 1-2 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 10-50 | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Sketches and Concepts, Consolidated Solution Sketch, Prioritized Direction | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | BrainstormingWorkshopCollaborationIdeation | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |



