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| Criterion |  Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it. | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 2-4 h | 1-2 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-8 | 1-8 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points |
Tagsno overlap | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange |