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Selected:Rich PictureArchitecture Decision RecordSoftware Architecture CanvasArchitecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. | 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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-10 | 1-3 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |