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Selected:Software Architecture CanvasEmpathy MappingAffinity DiagrammingArchitecture Inception Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 30–60 min | 45–90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 3-10 | 3-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |