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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Operations Accountability Ladder |  Agile 4Ls Retrospective |  Agile Mad Sad Glad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | With defensive reactions to problems, the method shifts the view from justification to ownership. It makes visible which reaction stage a person or team is currently stuck on. | When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time. | When a team's or workshop's mood needs to become readable, it structures emotional signals with little setup. It makes strain, relief, and sources of energy tangible. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 20-45 min | 45–75 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-8 | Team members involved | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Ownership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching Notes | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions | Emotion Board, Themes, Action Items |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam | RetrospectiveTeamReflection |