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| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-2 h | 45–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause |
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