View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | 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. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 Tage | 1-2 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-4 | 4-12 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |