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Criterion
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Four paper stations connect system purpose, quality goals, risk cards and focused investigation with a target and gap profile.
Architecture
LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
Architecture Inception Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Inception 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.LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-3 h3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional1-2 h
Participantsdifferent
2-81 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people3-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage PointsLean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checksInception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions
Tagsno overlap
FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics
ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean
AlignmentArchitectureCanvas
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Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Software Architecture Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Software Architecture Canvas
Stock and Flow Diagram method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas