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| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 45–90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-10 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |
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