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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
Paper illustration of VUCA Scan with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
VUCA Scan
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.The VUCA Scan helps read difficult situations more precisely. Instead of treating unclarity as generally complicated, the method separates fast change, missing knowledge, systemic entanglement, and ambiguous interpretation.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighHighLow
Timedifferent
2–4 h review as a planning range; preparation and evaluation additional0.5-3 TageHalf day30-90 min
Participantsdifferent
Designers, developers as users, and facilitation5-153-121-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
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 StrategyVUCA Map, Response Options, Signal and Learning Plan
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureEngineeringFeedbackValidationTasks
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
Systems thinkingChangeStrategy
SensemakingUncertaintyComplexityStrategyForesight
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