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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping | ![]() Architecture Request for Comments | ![]() Operations Causal Factor Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
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 RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-20 Reviewer | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline |
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