View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Architecture Request for Comments |  Decision Making Decision Rights Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|
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 RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale. | In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement. |
Complexitysame | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung | 90-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-20 Reviewer | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
