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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture C4 Model | ![]() Agile Starfish Retrospective | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Agile Start Stop Continue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 improvement options need to be sorted more finely than just start and stop, it brings observations into clear kinds of action. This makes visible what should be done more, less, newly, or continued. | 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. | When a team wants to deliberately adjust its working behavior, it makes habits visible and assessable. It focuses on concrete changes instead of diffuse mood. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 45-90 min | 1-2 Tage | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 4-12 | 1-4 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Starfish Board, Practice Changes, Experiments | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Start Stop Continue Board, Improvement Actions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | RetrospectiveImprovementExperimentsTeam | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | RetrospectiveImprovementTeamReflection |



