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
Rich Picture workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Rich Picture
How Might We
Innovation
How Might We
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Paper illustration of VUCA Scan with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
VUCA Scan
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.With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction.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.The VUCA Scan helps read difficult situations more precisely. Instead of treating unclarity as generally complicated, the method separates fast change, missing knowledge, systemic entanglement, and ambiguous interpretation.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowHighLow
Timedifferent
30-90 min30–45 min0.5-3 Tage30-90 min
Participantsdifferent
2-101-105-151-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Problem Framing NotesHMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea PromptsRich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaVUCA Map, Response Options, Signal and Learning Plan
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization
FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
SensemakingUncertaintyComplexityStrategyForesight
Add more methods