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Criterion
Rich Picture workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Rich Picture
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
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 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.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
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
30-90 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-2 Tage15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
2-103-20 Reviewer1-41-3
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop + asyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Problem Framing NotesRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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