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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping
Paper illustration for CATWOE Analysis.
Systems Thinking
CATWOE Analysis
Rich Picture workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Rich Picture
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.Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly.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.A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h1-2 h45-90 min30-90 min
Participantsdifferent
3-121-83-82-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsConcept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge GapsCATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, ConstraintsRich Picture, Problem Framing Notes
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders
Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization
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