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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation Reverse Brainstorming |  Innovation Morphological Analysis |  Innovation Lotus Blossom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | For a search for solutions with many degrees of freedom, a grid emerges for systematic combinations. The method separates features, variants, and exclusion criteria, so the space gets explored deliberately. | When a central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 30-60 min | 1-3 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 3-12 | 2-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution Ideas | Morphological Box, Concept Combinations, Idea Shortlist | Lotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk | IdeationInnovationCreativity | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop |