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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Stock and Flow Diagram |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Stock and Flow Diagram shows how stocks, inflows, and outflows shape a system over time. It is especially suited when growth, delays, or capacity limits determine the dynamics. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 60-120 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |