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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | 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 an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-2 h | 30-90 min | 60–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 4-12 | 2-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange |