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 |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 90-180 min | 1-3 h | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 | 2-8 | 1-3 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |