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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 decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Paper illustration of the Lightning Decision Jam working structure.
Facilitation
Decision Jam
Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
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 options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic.When a decision is stuck, Decision Jam loosens the knot through structured separation of problem, idea, and selection. The format creates movement without jumping prematurely at the first seemingly elegant answer.For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLowHigh
Timedifferent
1-2 h45-90 min60-90 min2-8 h
Participantsdifferent
3-122-84-102-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsDecision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected OptionProblem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, ExperimentProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs
FacilitationDecisionProblem solvingWorkshop
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
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