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| Criterion |  Decision Making Decision Tree |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Constraint Analysis |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For decisions with follow-on paths and dependencies, a linear comparison is often not enough. A Decision Tree shows how options branch under conditions and which consequences hang on each branch. | 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 an initiative stalls, the limit often lies not in the idea but in hard or soft boundary conditions. Constraint Analysis separates these limits and shows which of them can actually be shaped. | 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 | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 15-45 min | 30-90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 1-3 | 2-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionTreeOptions | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |