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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |  Systems Thinking Futures Wheel |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. | The Futures Wheel helps explore the consequences of a decision, a trend, or a strategic move in a structured way. It makes visible which first, second, and third-order effects could arise from an event. | Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 30-90 min | 60-120 min | 0.5-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-10 | 3-10 | 5-15 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking |