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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 1-4 | 3-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |