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Criterion
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
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 Solo Brainstorming with its method-specific working model.
Innovation
Solo Brainstorming
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
Purposedifferent
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.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.For an individual thinking problem with no counterpart immediately available, the method creates a protected space for one's own approaches. It prevents outside opinions from narrowing thinking too early. This lets ideas mature before they go into a group format.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
MediumLowLowLow
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung15-45 min15-60 min1-2 Tage
Participantsdifferent
3-20 Reviewer1-311-4
Formatdifferent
AsyncAsyncAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsADR File, Decision Log, RationalePersonal Idea List, Sketches or Mind Map, Pre-Read for Group SessionArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
BrainstormingIdeationAsync
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
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