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Criterion
Systems Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Systems Mapping
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration for Change Analysis.
Operations
Change Analysis
Purposedifferent
Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins.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.For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 h15-45 min45-120 min
Participantsdifferent
3-121-32-6
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
System Map, Dependencies, Leverage PointsADR File, Decision Log, RationaleChange Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Current Reality Tree
Systems Thinking
Current Reality Tree
Paper illustration for Future Reality Tree.
Systems Thinking
Future Reality Tree