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Selected:Architecture Inception CanvasStakeholder MappingSoftware Architecture CanvasAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 60–90 min | 1-2 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tags1 shared | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |