View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Decision Making Decision Rights Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement. | 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. | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 90-180 min | 15-45 min | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 | 1-3 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
