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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture arc42 |  UX Design Service Blueprinting |  UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 service experience is spread across several touchpoints, it brings frontstage and backstage together. It shows where user contact and internal responsibility must fit. | When a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-2 Tage | 0.5-2 Tage | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 1-4 | 6-12 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Service Blueprint, Fail Points, Ownership Map | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Service designOperationsJourneyBlueprint | JourneyServiceService design |