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| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture arc42 |  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. | 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. | 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 | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-2 Tage | 45–90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-4 | 3-10 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |