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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument 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.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.When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 h45-90 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
3-122-81-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanArgument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
SensemakingDecisionRationale
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Red Teaming method illustration showing its working structure
Decision Making
Red Teaming
Paper illustration of a calm four-quadrant Assumption Map with hypothesis cards and emphasis on important assumptions with little evidence.
Product Discovery
Assumption Mapping
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop