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Selected:Views and BeyondArchitecture Decision RecordAffinity DiagrammingArchitecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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 research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Tage | 15-45 min | 45–90 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1-3 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |