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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Product Discovery Assumption Mapping |  Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |  Product Discovery MVP Test Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. | With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. | When several minimal variants compete to answer the same question, it makes comparing and choosing between them cleaner. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence. The result is captured as a Test Matrix and a Test Plan. |
Complexitysame | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 45-60 min | 45-120 min | 45-75 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides | Test Matrix, Test Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions | ExperimentsValidationDiscoveryOptions |