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Selected:SWOT AnalysisArchitecture Decision RecordArchitecture Communication CanvasAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Business Strategy SWOT Analysis |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | SWOT Analysis arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into a compact picture of the situation. It keeps internal capabilities and external influences separate before strategic options emerge from them. | 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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | 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 | 30-60 min | 15-45 min | 60-120 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-3 | 2-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |