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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 1-3 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments |
Tagsno overlap | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking |