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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Facilitation 1-2-4-All |  Facilitation Nominal Group Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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 many people in a group too rarely get to speak, 1-2-4-All distributes thinking time more fairly. The format builds participation step by step and makes quiet or still-unformed thoughts usable faster. | When loud voices could dominate a round, Nominal Group Technique protects individual thinking time from group effects. It collects ideas separately first and only then enables shared weighting. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 15-45 min | 10-20 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 1-3 | 4-100+ | 5-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Idea List, Shared Insights, Emergent Themes | Ranked Ideas, Clarified Options, Group Priority |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | FacilitationInclusionIdeation | FacilitationPrioritizationVotingInclusion |