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| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Innovation Design Sprint |  Architecture arc42 |  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. | When the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess. | 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. | 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 | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 4-5 Tage | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 5-8 | 1-4 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |