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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture Risk Storming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 45-90 min | 1-2 h | 60-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Annotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation |