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| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Decision Tree | ![]() Delivery Communication Plan | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | When many people need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost. | 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 | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 45-90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 2-6 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionTreeOptions | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |
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