View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Communication 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. | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 1-3 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
