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| Criterion |  Innovation How Might We |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Innovation Reverse Brainstorming |  Innovation Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | For persistent errors or blockages, the method shifts the view to the opposite of the desired effect. It exposes the mechanics of failure and makes hidden causes easier to grasp. This makes improvement more concrete and the problem clearer. | When a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–45 min | 45-90 min | 30-60 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 3-8 | 3-12 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution Ideas | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence |