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 C4 Model |  UX Research Usability Testing |  Innovation Design Thinking |  Innovation Design Sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 1-2 h je Session | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 4-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | Based on research question | 4-10 | 5-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ValidationUXPrototype | InnovationPrototypeResearch | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation |