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Selected:C4 ModelSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Architecture Inception CanvasSoftware Architecture Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture Software Architecture 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. | SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning. | 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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-2 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Domain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternatives | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tags1 shared | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |