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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Quality Attribute Workshop | ![]() Decision Making DACI | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Quality Attribute Workshop translates quality requirements into concrete scenarios and architecture impulses. The method brings product, engineering, and operations to the same view of desired properties. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. | 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 Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 30-60 min | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-10 | 1-3 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Quality Scenarios, Priority List, Architecture Concerns | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | RequirementsArchitectureWorkshop | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |



