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| Criterion |  Agile Bucket System |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a large batch of work needs a fast, rough estimate, it sorts items into predefined size buckets. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as a Bucketed Backlog, Relative Estimates, and Split Candidates. | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | 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 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 1-3 h | 15-45 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-8 | 1-3 | 1-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Bucketed Backlog, Relative Estimates, Split Candidates | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationBacklogRelative sizing | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SensemakingDecisionRationale |