methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Design sheets and interface cards connect to jointly written pseudocode with highlighted unresolved questions.
Architecture
ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Paper illustration of Leverage Points with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Leverage Points
Purposedifferent
ARID examines how well developers can work with a technical design. It focuses on a part of the system that can still be revised, between the architecture overview and the detailed specification.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.Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighHigh
Timedifferent
2–4 h review as a planning range; preparation and evaluation additional0.5-3 TageHalf day
Participantsdifferent
Designers, developers as users, and facilitation5-153-12
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Prioritized development tasks, Jointly produced code or pseudocode, Observed difficulties and open design questions, Proposed design revisionsRich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaLeverage Map, Action Strategy
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureEngineeringFeedbackValidationTasks
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
Systems thinkingChangeStrategy
Add more methods

Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of VUCA Scan with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
VUCA Scan
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop
Paper illustration of the Force Field Analysis working structure.
Decision Making
Force Field Analysis