View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking System Dynamics Simulation |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture arc42 |  Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports. | 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. | 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. | A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | Mehrere Tage bis Wochen | 1-4 h | 1-2 Tage | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron | 1-5 | 1-4 | 1-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Simulation Model, Scenario Reports | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics |