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| Criterion |  Innovation Contradiction Analysis |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly. | 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 a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 1-4 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Contradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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