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| Criterion |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  Engineering Golden Path |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. | When teams need a reliable default path for frequent use, sprawl quickly emerges without any guiding logic. Golden Path bundles the preferred path so good practice becomes easy and deviation becomes deliberate. | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 1-3 Tage Setup, laufend | 1-3 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Golden Path Guide, Templates, Quality Checks | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | EngineeringProductivityGovernance | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |