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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Facilitation Consensus Workshop |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  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 a group needs a solid decision without outvoting individual factions, a Consensus Workshop creates a negotiable common ground. It makes agreement, reservations, and open tensions discussable at the same time. | 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 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 | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 60–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 5-30 | 3-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Consensus Clusters, Theme Titles, Priority Areas | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | FacilitationConsensusWorkshopAlignment | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange |