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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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 | Low |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 1-2 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |
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