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| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Constraint Analysis | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Architecture Risk Storming | ![]() Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 1-2 h | 60-90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-10 | 4-12 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Annotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |



