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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  Facilitation Dot Voting |  Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 workshop has produced too many options and the group needs to condense quickly, dot voting makes preferences visible in a short time. It bundles individual votes into a solid signal for the next selection. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 5-15 min | 45-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-8 | 3-20 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Ranked list, Consensus signal, Shortlist | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | FacilitationVotingConsensusPrioritization | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions |