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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Decision Making Constraint Analysis |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 30-90 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs |
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