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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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. | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 15-45 min | 45–90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 1-3 | 3-10 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |