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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 45-120 min | 15-45 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-8 | 1-3 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs |