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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration for Alignment Mapping.
Facilitation
Alignment Mapping
Paper illustration for Accountability Ladder
Operations
Accountability Ladder
Paper illustration for Expectation Mapping.
Facilitation
Expectation 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.When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable.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 roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h1-2 h20-45 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
3-124-121-83-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsAlignment Map, Open Issues, Decision QuestionsOwnership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching NotesExpectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation
ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam
AlignmentStakeholdersTeam
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