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| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making DACI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | 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. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-3 h | 15-45 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-8 | 1-3 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | SensemakingDecisionRationale | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment |