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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration for Trade-off Analysis.
Decision Making
Trade-off Analysis
Paper illustration of shared options, independently placed voting dots, and a highlighted shortlist.
Facilitation
Dot Voting
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.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h45-120 min5-15 min
Participantsdifferent
3-122-83-20
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsTrade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted DownsidesRanked list, Consensus signal, Shortlist
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions
FacilitationVotingConsensusPrioritization
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Independent contributions form an ordered group priority list.
Facilitation
Nominal Group Technique
Paper matrix with six colored hat cards for information, feeling, value, caution, ideas and process control.
Facilitation
Six Thinking Hats
Paper illustration of the Consensus Workshop working structure.
Facilitation
Consensus Workshop