View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation TRIZ |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | For technical contradictions or trade-offs, the method looks for solutions that resolve opposing requirements at the same time. It translates limits into an explicit picture of conflict that becomes workable. This produces not just compromises but more elegant principles. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-4 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-5 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Contradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
