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Criterion
Decision Tree method illustration showing its working structure
Decision Making
Decision Tree
Paper illustration for Golden Path
Engineering
Golden Path
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
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.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.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
MediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
30-90 min1-3 Tage Setup, laufend1-2 Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-62-81-4
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption ListGolden Path Guide, Templates, Quality ChecksArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View
Tagsno overlap
DecisionTreeOptions
EngineeringProductivityGovernance
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas
Design sheets and interface cards connect to jointly written pseudocode with highlighted unresolved questions.
Architecture
ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)