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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking System Dynamics Simulation | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports. | 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. | A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots. | 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 | High | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | Mehrere Tage bis Wochen | 1-2 Tage | 20-45 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron | 1-4 | 1-10 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Simulation Model, Scenario Reports | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |



