View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Engineering Goal Question Metric |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Helps clarify technical problems, hypotheses, and next steps in concrete terms. It breaks a technical problem into testable parts. The result is captured as a GQM table and metric briefs. | 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. | When a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 90-180 min | 15-45 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-6 | 1-3 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | GQM Table, Metric Profiles | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions |
Tagsno overlap | MetricsMeasurementEngineeringAlignment | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
