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Selected:Software Architecture CanvasArchitecture Decision RecordRoot Cause Tree AnalysisArchitecture Inception Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-3 | 2-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |