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Criterion
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Paper illustration for RAPID
Decision Making
RAPID
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
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.In complex management decisions, clarity is often missing about who recommends, who agrees, and who makes the decision. RAPID creates this assignment and stabilizes decisions across several levels.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
HighMediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
0.5-3 Tage45-90 min15-45 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung
Participantsdifferent
5-153-121-33-20 Reviewer
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaRAPID Role Map, Recommendation, Decision LogADR File, Decision Log, RationaleRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets
Tagsno overlap
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
DecisionRolesGovernance
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
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