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| Criterion | ![]() Facilitation Expectation Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Decision Making Argument Mapping | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | 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 statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | 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 | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-3 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 5-15 | 1-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | SensemakingDecisionRationale | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |



