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| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Agile Specification by Example |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  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 business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 60-90 min pro Feature | 60-120 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-6 | 2-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Example Table, Acceptance Tests | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |