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Selected:C4 ModelLean StartupArchitecture Decision RecordARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)
| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation Lean Startup |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. | 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. | ARID examines how well developers can work with a technical design. It focuses on a part of the system that can still be revised, between the architecture overview and the detailed specification. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus | 15-45 min | 2–4 h review as a planning range; preparation and evaluation additional |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | 1-3 | Designers, developers as users, and facilitation |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Prioritized development tasks, Jointly produced code or pseudocode, Observed difficulties and open design questions, Proposed design revisions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | LeanStartupValidationMVP | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureEngineeringFeedbackValidationTasks |