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| Criterion |  Innovation Design Thinking |  UX Research Usability Testing |  Architecture arc42 |  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 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. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | 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 | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 1-2 h je Session | 1-2 Tage | 4-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | Based on research question | 1-4 | 5-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Prototype, Test Findings, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | InnovationPrototypeResearch | ValidationUXPrototype | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Design sprintPrototypeValidationInnovation |