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| Criterion |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Architecture C4 Model |  Domain Modeling Bounded Context Canvas |  Domain Modeling Context Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise. | 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 a business context is still loosely outlined, it shapes language, responsibility, and integration space. It clarifies what belongs together and where a boundary needs to hold. | When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Wochen | 1-4 h | 1-3 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1-5 | 3-8 | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Context Canvas, Glossary, Integration Notes | Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes |
Tagsno overlap | UX researchObservationContext | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesModeling | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy |