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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture arc42 |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-8 | 1-4 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |