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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 60-120 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-8 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |
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