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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation Brainstorming |  Architecture arc42 |  Innovation Reverse Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | 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. | For persistent errors or blockages, the method shifts the view to the opposite of the desired effect. It exposes the mechanics of failure and makes hidden causes easier to grasp. This makes improvement more concrete and the problem clearer. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 30-60 min | 1-2 Tage | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 4-12 | 1-4 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk |