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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation Design Thinking | ![]() Product Discovery Assumption Mapping | ![]() Innovation Lean Startup | ![]() Innovation Design Sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. | For uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. | 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 | High | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 45-60 min | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus | 4-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 5-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | InnovationPrototypeResearch | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation | LeanStartupValidationMVP | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation |



