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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration for Accountability Ladder
Operations
Accountability Ladder
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights Mapping
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.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 h20-45 min45-90 min90-180 min
Participantsdifferent
3-121-82-84-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsOwnership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching NotesAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanDecision Rights Matrix, Agreement
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility
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