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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture arc42 |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-2 Tage | 15-45 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 1-4 | 1-10 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |