architecture-handbook

C4 Model

The C4 Model focuses on the visual communication and documentation of software architecture. It doesn’t present a formalised, standardised method to communicate software architecture, it does however provide a collection of lightweight ideas and techniques that we’ve observed to be useful.

We’ve observed the use of the C4 Model with our active deliveries and found that it:

• Provides a lean approach to diagramming a software architecture at multiple levels
• Helps focus on providing clear and concise meaning
• Is useful as starting point for other techniques such as risk storming
• Has a wide range of diagram types that are easy to learn, create and understand
• Isn’t mandatory to create versions of all of the diagrams, only use ones that appropriate. System Context and Container diagrams are the most widely used.
• Is a simple but not simplistic approach to visualising architecture

The creator of C4 Simon Brown has published a book called Visualising Software Architecture, which is part of our recommended reading list

Watch

Visualising Architecture CoP session (22nd November 2022)

Made Tech internal only video

Stuart McKee demonstrates how to create a common understanding and foster collaboration

• Recording
• Slides

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