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| Criterion | ![]() Knowledge Modeling Shape-First Modeling | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Shape-First Modeling defines data quality through shapes before implementation or integration frays at the edges. The approach fits when validation and data contracts should be part of the design from the start. | 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. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | Halber Tag pro Domain Slice | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1-4 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | SHACL or ShEx Shapes, Validation Reports, Data Contracts, Shape Documentation | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Knowledge graphValidationSemantic | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



