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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation Design Sprint |  Architecture arc42 |  Innovation Design Thinking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 the product question is unclear and time pressure is high, the method takes a team from an open idea to a testable solution. It connects problem understanding, decision, and learning in one compact format, lowering the risk of spending a lot of energy on a mere guess. | 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 complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 4-5 Tage | 1-2 Tage | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 5-8 | 1-4 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | InnovationPrototypeResearch |