View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Rich Picture | ![]() Decision Making Decision Matrix | ![]() Decision Making Argument Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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 statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | 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 | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 45-90 min | 1-3 h | 0.5-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 2-10 | 2-8 | 1-8 | 5-15 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | SensemakingDecisionRationale | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking |



