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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Product Discovery Assumption 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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation. | When assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 60-120 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation |