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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Views and Beyond | ![]() Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | 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. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Tage | 1-3 h | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-12 | 1-4 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | KnowledgeMappingRisk | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |



