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Criterion
Paper illustration for Constraint Analysis.
Decision Making
Constraint Analysis
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration for TOWS Matrix.
Business Strategy
TOWS Matrix
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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
30-90 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-2 h
Participantsdifferent
2-83-20 Reviewer3-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision BoundariesRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsTOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority Actions
Tagsno overlap
ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
StrategyAnalysisOptions
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP Analysis
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights Mapping