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| Criterion | ![]() Product Discovery Working Backwards | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When the target state and benefit need to be clear first, it thinks backward from the desired outcome into the product logic. It sharpens vision, objections, and value proposition before elaboration. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 4-8 h, mehrere Iterationen | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 1-3 | 3-10 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Future Press Release, FAQ, Vision Statement | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | VisionNarrativeAlignment | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |



