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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Facilitation Expectation Mapping | ![]() Facilitation Consensus Workshop | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | When a group needs a solid decision without outvoting individual factions, a Consensus Workshop creates a negotiable common ground. It makes agreement, reservations, and open tensions discussable at the same time. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-12 | 5-30 | 4-12 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Consensus Clusters, Theme Titles, Priority Areas | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tags1 shared | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | FacilitationConsensusWorkshopAlignment | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |



