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Criterion
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
Paper illustration for Evaporating Cloud.
Systems Thinking
Evaporating Cloud
Purposedifferent
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.The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 h15-45 min60-120 min
Participantsdifferent
3-121-32-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsADR File, Decision Log, RationaleConflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Future Reality Tree.
Systems Thinking
Future Reality Tree
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments