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| Criterion | ![]() Domain Modeling Domain Context Map | ![]() UX Research Contextual Inquiry | ![]() Architecture arc42 | ![]() Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a domain model and its associated contexts need to be thought through together, it creates a shared overview. It connects the business view and organizational boundary into a readable whole. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 Wochen | 1-2 Tage | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 1-4 | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Domain Context Map, Boundary Notes, Ownership Map | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | Domain-Driven DesignContextBoundaries | UX researchObservationContext | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |



