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Selected:Soft Systems MethodologyArchitecture Decision RecordArchitecture Communication CanvasViews and Beyond
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas | ![]() Architecture Views and Beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action. | 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 Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 15-45 min | 60-120 min | 1-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 1-3 | 2-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture |



