View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Knowledge Modeling Competency Questions |  Decision Making Decision Rights Mapping |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Competency Questions translate a domain model into concrete questions that it must be able to answer. The method keeps the model's scope clean and prevents pretty but useless structures. | In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 90-180 min | 1-3 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 4-12 | 2-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Competency Question Set, Required Concepts, Test Queries, Coverage Matrix | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | OntologyKnowledge graphScopeRequirementsSemantic | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |