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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
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process 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.When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 h20-45 min30-120 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
3-121-82-63-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsOwnership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching NotesObservation Notes, Improvement IdeasProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam
LeanObservationProcessOperations
ProcessOperationsImprovement
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