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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  Innovation Crazy 8s |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | With only a few minutes available and a still-fuzzy solution search, the method forces a wide range of variants. It produces fast sketches before the first idea can settle in, making different directions directly comparable and open to further development. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 15-45 min | 8-15 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 1-10 | 1-10 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Sketch Set, Idea Shortlist, Direction Options | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | BrainstormingSketchingSpeedDivergenceDesign sprint | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |