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| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Contextual Inquiry | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas | ![]() Agile Specification by Example | ![]() Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | When business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 60-120 min | 60-90 min pro Feature | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 2-8 | 3-6 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | Example Table, Acceptance Tests | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |



