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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Delivery Value Stream Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Engineering Kanban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 delivery work dissolves into wait times, handoffs, and hidden effort, Value Stream Mapping makes the actual flow visible. The method exposes bottlenecks, idle time, and feedback loops so lead time and improvement levers become tangible. | 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 work sits in too many parallel streams, throughput suffers and no one sees the bottlenecks. Kanban makes the flow of work visible and limits overload so a system becomes calmer and more predictable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-3 h | 15-45 min | Ongoing |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 4-10 | 1-3 | 2-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Current-state map, Future-state map, Bottleneck list | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Kanban board, WIP policies, Flow metrics |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | LeanFlowWasteDelivery | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | FlowVisual managementDelivery |