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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation Double Diamond | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Architecture Views and Beyond | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For complex problems with a fuzzy situation, the method cleanly separates search space and decision. It first creates breadth in understanding and then focus in elaboration. This brings open questions, problem definition, and solution path into a traceable movement. | 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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | 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 | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Wochen bis Monate | 1-2 Tage | 1-3 Tage | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Problem Statement, Solution Options, Prototypes, Deliverables per Phase | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessDivergenceInnovation | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |



