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| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture arc42 |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  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. | 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. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-2 Tage | 45-90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-4 | 2-5 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |