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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Architecture Request for Comments | ![]() Decision Making Decision Rights Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung | 90-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-20 Reviewer | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility |
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