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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Decision Making Argument Mapping | ![]() Architecture Views and Beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 1-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 1-3 | 1-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SensemakingDecisionRationale | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture |



