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| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |  Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 1-3 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 3-12 | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Lean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checks | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | KnowledgeMappingRisk | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |