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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 5-15 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions |
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