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| Criterion | ![]() Business Strategy GAP Analysis | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Facilitation Consensus Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | When a group needs a solid decision without outvoting individual factions, a Consensus Workshop creates a negotiable common ground. It makes agreement, reservations, and open tensions discussable at the same time. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 1-2 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 4-12 | 3-10 | 5-30 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Consensus Clusters, Theme Titles, Priority Areas |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | FacilitationConsensusWorkshopAlignment |



