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| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Delphi Method | ![]() Operations ALPEN Method | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Architecture Request for Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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. | An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 Wochen | 10-20 min daily | 15-45 min | 1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung |
Participantsdifferent | 6-30 Experten | 1 | 1-3 | 3-20 Reviewer |
Formatsame | Async | Async | Async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets |
Tagsno overlap | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance |



