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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture C4 Model | ![]() Growth North Star Metric |
|---|---|---|
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 product teams track many metrics, the view of the actual customer outcome easily gets lost. A North Star Metric bundles growth, usage, and value contribution into one signal that makes the system's direction visible. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 3-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | North Star metric, Input metric tree, Measurement cadence |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | GrowthMetricsAlignmentRetention |
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