View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Product Strategy GIST Planning |  Systems Thinking Leverage Points |  Systems Thinking Theory of Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | GIST Planning helps clarify target groups, value, goals, and priorities. It links customer value, product logic, and decision priorities, and captures the result as goals, an idea bank, and a step-project list. | Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy. | Theory of Change translates a desired impact into a traceable chain of change. It makes assumptions, intermediate goals, and measurement points visible before a program is rolled out at scale. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | Wochen bis Monate je Goal | Half day | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-10 | 3-12 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | Goals, Idea bank, Step-project list, Tasks, Learning reports | Leverage Map, Action Strategy | Theory of Change Map, Assumptions, Outcome Measures |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | RoadmapOutcomesPlanningExperiments | Systems thinkingChangeStrategy | ImpactOutcomesSystems thinkingStrategy |