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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Engineering Goal Question Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. | 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. | Helps clarify technical problems, hypotheses, and next steps in concrete terms. It breaks a technical problem into testable parts. The result is captured as a GQM table and metric briefs. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 30-60 min | 1-2 h | 90-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-6 | 3-8 | 3-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | GQM Table, Metric Profiles |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | MetricsMeasurementEngineeringAlignment |