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| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Architecture Views and Beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 1-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 5-15 | 3-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture |