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| Criterion |  Architecture Request for Comments |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Architecture arc42 |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 Reviewer | 5-15 | 1-4 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |