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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Operations Change Analysis |  Architecture arc42 |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise. | 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 | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 45-120 min | 1-2 Tage | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 2-6 | 1-4 | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |