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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration of RAID Log with a method-specific labelled workspace.
Delivery
RAID Log
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.Helps clarify scope, sequence, and delivery flow in concrete terms. It makes work, boundaries, and order steerable. The result is captured as a RAID Log and a source for status reporting.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung30 min Setup, dann laufend
Participantsdifferent
3-123-20 Reviewer1-3 maintaining, briefing for everyone
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsRAID Log, Status Report Source
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
RiskTrackingStakeholdersGovernance
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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)
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing