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| Criterion |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | SensemakingDecisionRationale | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |
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