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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. | When a topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-3 h | 15-45 min | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-12 | 1-10 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange |