View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Architecture arc42 |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation Crazy 8s |  Innovation Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | With only a few minutes available and a still-fuzzy solution search, the method forces a wide range of variants. It produces fast sketches before the first idea can settle in, making different directions directly comparable and open to further development. | When a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 Tage | 1-4 h | 8-15 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 1-5 | 1-10 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Sketch Set, Idea Shortlist, Direction Options | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | BrainstormingSketchingSpeedDivergenceDesign sprint | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence |