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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 45-90 min | 1-2 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-5 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |