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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Innovation How Might We | ![]() Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 30–45 min | 1-2 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 1-10 | 3-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



