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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Delivery Communication Plan |  Architecture Views and Beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | 1-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 1-3 | 2-6 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture |