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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture C4 Model | ![]() Business Strategy Porter Five Forces | ![]() Business Strategy SWOT Analysis | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication 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. | Porter Five Forces analyzes the forces that shape competitive pressure and profitability in a market. The view of market structure goes beyond individual competitors and reveals systemic pressure points. | SWOT Analysis arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into a compact picture of the situation. It keeps internal capabilities and external influences separate before strategic options emerge from them. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-3 h | 30-60 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Five Forces Analysis, Competitive Risks, Strategic Options | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | StrategyCompetitionMarket | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



