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Selected:Futures WheelCATWOE AnalysisLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)Architecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Futures Wheel | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Futures Wheel helps explore the consequences of a decision, a trend, or a strategic move in a structured way. It makes visible which first, second, and third-order effects could arise from an event. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitysame | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 45-90 min | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-8 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Lean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checks | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



