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Criterion
Visual Management workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Visual Management
A paper-based illustration representing C4 Model with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
C4 Model
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Purposedifferent
With high tempo and many parallel topics, the method makes status, deviations, and priorities visible at a glance. It reduces search effort and prevents what matters from getting lost in daily 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.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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
Ongoing1-4 h15-45 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung
Participantsdifferent
1-201-51-33-20 Reviewer
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Visual Board, Status Indicators, Exception CuesContext Diagram, Container Diagram, Component DiagramADR File, Decision Log, RationaleRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets
Tagsno overlap
SignalsOperationsVisual management
ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
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