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| Criterion |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | 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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | 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 | 30–60 min | 2-4 h | 60-120 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-8 | 3-8 | 2-8 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange |