methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration for Contextual Inquiry.
UX Research
Contextual Inquiry
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
Paper illustration of a yellow story card, blue rule cards, green example cards and a red question card on a light workspace.
Agile
Example Mapping
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Purposedifferent
When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise.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.When a story carries business rules and exceptions, it brings clarity before implementation. It makes examples, open questions, and boundaries visible enough that the logic becomes jointly sound.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
MediumLowLowLow
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen1-2 Tage30-60 min15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
4-12 Beobachtungen1-43-71-3
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopAsync
Outputdifferent
Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain PointsArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewExample Map, Acceptance Criteria, Open QuestionsADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
UX researchObservationContext
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
Behavior-Driven DevelopmentRequirementsExamplesRefinement
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Add more methods