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Selected:Software Architecture CanvasAlignment MappingCommunication PlanArchitecture Inception Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Delivery Communication Plan |  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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | When many people need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-12 | 2-6 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |