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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Decision Making Constraint Analysis |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | A Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 30-90 min | 1-2 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-8 | 1-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality |