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| Criterion | ![]() UX Research User Interviews | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When teams derive needs only from assumptions and real motives are missing, user interviews give direct access to behavior and meaning. Conversations from the target group's everyday life make patterns, tensions, and open questions solidly visible. | 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. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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 | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–60 min per interview | 1-2 Tage | 45-90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1 participant per interview | 1-4 | 2-5 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Interview Notes, Themes, Insight Summary | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | QualitativeResearchCustomerDiscovery | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |



