View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Architecture arc42 |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | 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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | 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 | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 Tage | 1-2 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-4 | 1-8 | 1-5 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |