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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-3 Wochen | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | UX researchObservationContext | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |
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