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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. | LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail. | 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 | 1-2 h | 30-90 min | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-10 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Lean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checks | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |