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 PARA Method |  Architecture C4 Model |  Business Strategy McKinsey 7S |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The PARA Method organizes knowledge into Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. It creates order when digital notes, files, and tasks no longer cleanly fit current work. | 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. | McKinsey 7S checks whether Strategy, Structure, Systems, Shared Values, Skills, Style, and Staff fit together. Organizational misalignments become visible across multiple levers as a result. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h Setup, laufend | 1-4 h | 2-4 h | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1 | 1-5 | 3-12 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PARA Structure, Project Notes, Knowledge Archive | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | 7S Assessment, Alignment Gaps, Change Actions | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | KnowledgeProductivityOrganization | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | OrganizationStrategyAlignmentChange | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |