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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation How Might We | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree | ![]() Systems Thinking Rich Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction. | 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. | 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. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–45 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 2-4 h | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 5-15 | 3-8 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes |
Tagsno overlap | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization |



