methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Anonymous individual judgments pass through feedback loops to form a distribution.
Decision Making
Delphi Method
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
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
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.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.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
HighLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-4 Wochen1-2 Tage15-45 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung
Participantsdifferent
6-30 Experten1-41-33-20 Reviewer
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption NotesArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewADR File, Decision Log, RationaleRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets
Tagsno overlap
ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
Add more methods