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Criterion
How Might We
Innovation
How Might We
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
Purposedifferent
With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction.Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
30–45 min1-2 h15-45 min1-2 Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-103-121-31-4
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea PromptsPolarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsADR File, Decision Log, RationaleArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View
Tagsno overlap
FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
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