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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Facilitation Mind Mapping | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | 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 a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 5-15 | 1-10 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |



