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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Product Strategy ICE Scoring |  Architecture arc42 |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 ideas need sorting quickly, it condenses impact, confidence, and effort into one compact score. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as an ICE table and top-ideas list. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 30-60 min | 1-2 Tage | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | 1-4 | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | ICE Table, Top Idea List | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | PrioritizationScoringGrowthDecision | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs |