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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Accountability Ladder | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Facilitation Expectation Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With defensive reactions to problems, the method shifts the view from justification to ownership. It makes visible which reaction stage a person or team is currently stuck on. | Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | When roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-2 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 5-15 | 4-12 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Ownership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching Notes | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements |
Tagsno overlap | ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam |



