View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
Selected:Usability TestingAlignment MappingSoftware Architecture CanvasArchitecture Inception Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() UX Research Usability Testing | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | 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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h je Session | 1-2 h | 1-2 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | Based on research question | 4-12 | 3-10 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ValidationUXPrototype | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |



