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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Engineering Golden Path |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 teams need a reliable default path for frequent use, sprawl quickly emerges without any guiding logic. Golden Path bundles the preferred path so good practice becomes easy and deviation becomes deliberate. | 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. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-3 Tage Setup, laufend | 1-2 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Golden Path Guide, Templates, Quality Checks | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | EngineeringProductivityGovernance | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |