methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration for Future Reality Tree.
Systems Thinking
Future Reality Tree
Anonymous individual judgments pass through feedback loops to form a distribution.
Decision Making
Delphi Method
Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision 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.A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation.When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighHighMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 h2-4 h1-4 Wochen45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
3-123-86-30 Experten2-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsFuture Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved InjectionsExpert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption NotesDecision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange
ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy
DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs
Add more methods