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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  UX Design Lean UX Canvas |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Lean UX Canvas helps clarify user behavior, touchpoints, and concept decisions. It makes assumptions and desired outcomes visible and captures the result as a completed canvas, hypothesis list, and first experiment. | 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. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 2-3 h | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 3-8 | 1-3 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Completed Lean UX Canvas, Hypothesis list, First experiment | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | CanvasHypothesisOutcomesDiscovery | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |