View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Innovation Crazy 8s | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Innovation Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With only a few minutes available and a still-fuzzy solution search, the method forces a wide range of variants. It produces fast sketches before the first idea can settle in, making different directions directly comparable and open to further development. | 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. | 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. | When a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 8-15 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 5-15 | 3-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Sketch Set, Idea Shortlist, Direction Options | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | BrainstormingSketchingSpeedDivergenceDesign sprint | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence |



