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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Decision Making Constraint Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | When an initiative stalls, the limit often lies not in the idea but in hard or soft boundary conditions. Constraint Analysis separates these limits and shows which of them can actually be shaped. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions |
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