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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. | When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers. | LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 30-120 min | 30-60 min | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-6 | 2-8 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Lean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checks |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | LeanObservationProcessOperations | Root causeQualityOperations | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean |