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Selected:Views and BeyondC4 ModelLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)Architecture Decision Record
| Criterion |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | 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. | 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. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 Tage | 1-4 h | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1-5 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | 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 | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tags1 shared | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |