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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture C4 Model |  Decision Making Pre-Mortem |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | In early initiatives with many uncertainties, planning quickly turns too optimistic. A pre-mortem makes the expected failure visible in advance and sharpens the view of causes, gaps, and countermeasures. | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-4 h | 20–45 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-5 | Small cross-functional group | 1-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Risk list, Mitigation plan, Assumption log | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | RiskDecisionFailurePlanning | SensemakingDecisionRationale |