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| Criterion | ![]() Knowledge Modeling PARA Method | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Decision Making Argument Mapping | ![]() Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The PARA Method organizes knowledge into Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. It creates order when digital notes, files, and tasks no longer cleanly fit current work. | 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 statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | 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 | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h Setup, laufend | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1 | 1-3 | 1-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PARA Structure, Project Notes, Knowledge Archive | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | KnowledgeProductivityOrganization | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SensemakingDecisionRationale | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |



