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| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Constraint Analysis | ![]() Decision Making DACI | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When an initiative stalls, the limit often lies not in the idea but in hard or soft boundary conditions. Constraint Analysis separates these limits and shows which of them can actually be shaped. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 30-60 min | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-10 | 1-4 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |



