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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Facilitation Mind Mapping | ![]() Innovation Brainwriting | ![]() 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. | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | When loud voices or hierarchy distort the idea search, the method creates a quiet entry into joint development. It gives everyone thinking space and gathers contributions without social brakes, making diversity more visible and easier to build on. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min | 15-30 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1-10 | 3-12 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Idea sheets, Expanded concepts, Prioritized list | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | BrainstormingCollaborationInclusionIdeas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |



