View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations 5 Whys |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-4 h | 15-30 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 1-5 | 2-6 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |