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| Criterion |  Decision Making Constraint Analysis |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations ALPEN Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When an initiative stalls, the limit often lies not in the idea but in hard or soft boundary conditions. Constraint Analysis separates these limits and shows which of them can actually be shaped. | 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. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 1-4 h | 45-90 min | 10-20 min daily |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-5 | 2-5 | 1 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations |