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| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 5-15 | 3-8 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization |