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Selected:Architecture Inception CanvasCATWOE AnalysisStakeholder MappingSoftware Architecture Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 60–90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 3-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |



