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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Growth Flywheel |  Architecture C4 Model |  Growth Funnel Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Growth often breaks down where a reinforcing mechanism builds up too much friction. A Flywheel shows the cycle of value, repetition, and reinforcement meant to sustain growth. | 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. | When many visitors or users drop off along the way, the reason behind the number often stays hidden. Funnel Analysis exposes these transitions and makes visible exactly where the path collapses. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 60-120 min | 1-4 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 3-8 | 1-5 | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Flywheel Map, Friction Points, Growth Levers, Experiment Backlog | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Funnel report, Drop-off analysis, Optimization hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | GrowthRetentionConversion | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | AnalyticsConversionGrowth |