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Criterion
Design Thinking as a learning loop: an observation notebook, a focused problem statement, different idea sketches, a cardboard prototype and user-test notes. Feedback leads to new understanding.
Innovation
Design Thinking
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Purposedifferent
For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service.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.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.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
HighMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung45-90 min15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
4-103-20 Reviewer2-81-3
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop + asyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Problem Statement, Prototype, Test LearningsRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
InnovationPrototypeResearch
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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