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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture C4 Model | ![]() Decision Making Assumption Surfacing | ![]() Decision Making Pre-Mortem | ![]() Delivery Communication Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it. | In early initiatives with many uncertainties, planning quickly turns too optimistic. A pre-mortem makes the expected failure visible in advance and sharpens the view of causes, gaps, and countermeasures. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 45-90 min | 20–45 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | Small cross-functional group | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan | Risk list, Mitigation plan, Assumption log | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery | RiskDecisionFailurePlanning | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning |



