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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Delphi Method |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-4 Wochen | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 6-30 Experten | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |
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