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| Criterion |  Business Strategy TOWS Matrix |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | 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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 60-120 min | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 1-3 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority Actions | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisOptions | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |