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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-4 | 3-8 | 1-4 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |