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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Futures Wheel |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Business Strategy SWOT Analysis |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Futures Wheel helps explore the consequences of a decision, a trend, or a strategic move in a structured way. It makes visible which first, second, and third-order effects could arise from an event. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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. | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 10-20 min daily | 30-60 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | StrategyAnalysisPlanning |