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| Criterion |  Innovation How Might We |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–45 min | 1-2 h | 1-4 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 3-10 | 1-5 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |