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Selected:Soft Systems MethodologyArchitecture Inception CanvasRich PictureSoftware Architecture Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas | ![]() Systems Thinking Rich Picture | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | High | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-2 h | 30-90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-8 | 2-10 | 3-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |



