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| Criterion |  Product Strategy SMART Goals |  Business Strategy VMGS |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When goals are formulated too generally, it brings measurability, direction, and timing into shape. It prevents intentions from staying without clear verification. | VMGS arranges vision, mission, goals, and strategies into a clear guiding logic. Direction, purpose, and priorities are connected so teams can decide more coherently. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 2-4 h | 1-2 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 3-12 | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | SMART Goal, Measurement Note, Deadline | Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Goals, Strategies | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | GoalsPlanningMeasurementAlignment | VisionGoalsStrategy | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |