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| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Decision Tree | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Decision Making Risk Matrix | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | When a project faces many possible disruptions, it quickly becomes unclear which risks deserve attention first. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Risk Matrix and a Top Risk List. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 1-2 h | 30-60 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 3-10 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Risk Matrix, Top Risk List | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionTreeOptions | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | RiskDecisionPrioritizationAssessment | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



