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| Criterion |  Decision Making Decision Tree |  Decision Making Constraint Analysis |  Business Strategy SWOT Analysis |  Business Strategy TOWS Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For decisions with follow-on paths and dependencies, a linear comparison is often not enough. A Decision Tree shows how options branch under conditions and which consequences hang on each branch. | When an initiative stalls, the limit often lies not in the idea but in hard or soft boundary conditions. Constraint Analysis separates these limits and shows which of them can actually be shaped. | SWOT Analysis arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into a compact picture of the situation. It keeps internal capabilities and external influences separate before strategic options emerge from them. | The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 30-90 min | 30-60 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 2-8 | 3-12 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority Actions |
Tagsno overlap | DecisionTreeOptions | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | StrategyAnalysisOptions |