How can you use the C4 model to simplify your solution architecture?

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Solution architecture is the practice of designing and communicating the high-level structure and behavior of a complex system. However, creating and maintaining a clear and consistent solution architecture can be challenging, especially when dealing with multiple stakeholders, technologies, and requirements. That's where the C4 model comes in handy. The C4 model is a simple and effective way to describe and document your solution architecture using a hierarchical set of diagrams. In this article, you will learn what the C4 model is, how it works, and how you can use it to simplify your solution architecture.

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Michael Morar

Principal Consultant (Architect) at Capco
German Rybakov

Lead Solutions Architect at C.T.Co

1 What is the C4 model?

The C4 model is a notation and methodology for creating solution architecture diagrams. It was created by Simon Brown, a software architect and author, as a response to the lack of standardization and clarity in most software architecture diagrams. The C4 model stands for Context, Containers, Components, and Code, which are the four levels of abstraction that the model uses to represent a system. Each level corresponds to a different type of diagram that shows a different view of the system and its relationships.

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Pedro Bonifácio Costa

Tech Architecture Manager
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C4 is a useful technique to visualize the solution architecture from diverse and complementary perspectives. Historically, Solution Architects had to define their own view on systems without having a proper notation / standard, which led to a lack of common understanding of systems' goals and benefits. Technology must be seen as a enabler for business goals and, as such, C4 perspectives should be aligned with the overall enterprise architecture principles and guidelines.

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2 How does the C4 model work?

The C4 model works by starting from the most abstract level, the context, and gradually zooming in to the most concrete level, the code. Each level provides more details and information about the system, but also reduces its scope and complexity. This model follows these steps: beginning with the context diagram which answers ‘What is the scope and purpose of the system?’, then moving to the container diagram which answers ‘How is the system composed and deployed?’. The component diagram then reveals ‘How does each container work and communicate?’ and finally, the code diagram provides insight into ‘How is each component implemented and tested?’.

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Michael Morar

Principal Consultant (Architect) at Capco
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The general recommendation is not to use the Code diagrams. Code changes (especially where the open-closed principle is not adhered to) frequently - for more so than documentation is updated.

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Pedro Bonifácio Costa

Tech Architecture Manager
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As a Technology Architect, I'd start always with the business vision and goals and how technology applies to such, to clearly align the information generated by diagrams to its readers, whether they are technical or business. As a rule of thumb, first define the audience and afterwards describe the system with the proper language adaptation.

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3 How can you use the C4 model to simplify your solution architecture?

The C4 model can help simplify your solution architecture by providing a common language and framework for describing and documenting your system. This model can help you communicate effectively with different audiences, such as developers, testers, managers, or customers. It can also help you visualize the big picture and the details of your system, as well as identify and address any issues, risks, or trade-offs in your system. Additionally, it can assist in evolving and maintaining your system by updating and refining your diagrams over time.

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German Rybakov

Lead Solutions Architect at C.T.Co
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I noticed that having API Application composed of microservices and Database containers on same level of abstraction is not aligned with the design principle of componentization. On container level of abstraction such API Application should hide its internal implementation including databases specific to particular microservices and other data stores for logs and metrics used to support implementation of cross cutting concerns. I believe C4 modeling require a new revision aligned with specifics of microservice architecture

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Pedro Bonifácio Costa

Tech Architecture Manager
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It's important to start from the overall strategy first. What are the common principles that guide IT/a specific system implementation? Than, define your models based on the C4 layers.

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German Rybakov

Lead Solutions Architect at C.T.Co
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I noticed that Cloud Solution specific extension of C4's Code concept is required to cover specification of a code for provisioning of cloud resources implementing a container which is delivered by DevOps Engineers But such code concept extension is causing a shift of some types of Containers to Components abstraction because they are automatically provisioned now as cloud resources (e.g. Databases, Caches, Log Stores, Metric Stores) by pipelines using a code and for such code a specification is also required at C4 Level 4 Some common scenarios: White label SaaS Solutions are provisioned from scratch including Data Stores Tenant specific cloud resources including Data Stores are provisioned during its onboarding to SaaS Solution

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4 How can you create C4 diagrams?

When creating C4 diagrams, you can use any tool or format you prefer, such as pen and paper, whiteboards, or software tools. However, it's important to follow certain guidelines and best practices to make your diagrams clear, consistent, and useful. These include using a simple and standard notation to represent the elements and relationships of your system, employing a consistent and meaningful naming convention to describe the elements and relationships, utilizing a logical and hierarchical layout to organize the elements and relationships, and using a sufficient and relevant level of detail to illustrate the elements and relationships. Additionally, it's important to avoid using too many colors, shapes, symbols, acronyms, abbreviations or jargon that can be confusing or unclear. Additionally, it's important to avoid using too many crossing lines, overlapping boxes or empty spaces that can make your diagrams messy or hard to follow. Lastly, it's important to not use too much or too little information that can make your diagrams too complex or too vague.

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Michael Morar

Principal Consultant (Architect) at Capco
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I recommend Structurizr. There is an enterprise and free version. Structurizr builds on the concept of 'documentation as code', using a purpose-built syntax to describe C4 documents. I deploy Structurizr in a Docker container on my local device and export the generated diagrams to .png files. I keep the code files in a GitHub repo that the team can share.

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5 How can you learn more about the C4 model?

The C4 model is a powerful and practical way to simplify and communicate your solution architecture. Through the C4 model, you can create and document your system using a hierarchical set of diagrams that show the context, containers, components, and code of your system. To learn more about the C4 model and how to apply it, you can visit the official website of the C4 model, read Software Architecture for Developers by Simon Brown, or take Software Architecture Fundamentals by Simon Brown. By utilizing the C4 model, you can visualize and understand your system, identify and address issues, and evolve and maintain your system. Try the C4 model today to see how it can improve your solution architecture.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you use the C4 model to simplify your solution architecture?

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1 What is the C4 model?

2 How does the C4 model work?

3 How can you use the C4 model to simplify your solution architecture?

4 How can you create C4 diagrams?

5 How can you learn more about the C4 model?

6 Here’s what else to consider

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