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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
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas
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.The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design.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
LowMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
30-90 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung60-120 min15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
2-103-20 Reviewer2-81-3
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop + asyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Problem Framing NotesRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsCommunication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication PlanADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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