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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Facilitation 3-Circle Venn Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | When three perspectives matter at the same time, a Three-Circle Venn Diagram shows the overlaps and remainders precisely. It makes visible where shared effect arises and where only a partial perspective applies. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 4-12 | 3-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Venn Diagram, Overlap Notes, Differentiators |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ComparisonFacilitationAlignment |