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Criterion
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Anonymous individual judgments pass through feedback loops to form a distribution.
Decision Making
Delphi Method
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration of VUCA Scan with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
VUCA Scan
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 knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.The VUCA Scan helps read difficult situations more precisely. Instead of treating unclarity as generally complicated, the method separates fast change, missing knowledge, systemic entanglement, and ambiguous interpretation.
Complexitydifferent
HighHighLowLow
Timedifferent
0.5-3 Tage1-4 Wochen45-90 min30-90 min
Participantsdifferent
5-156-30 Experten2-81-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaExpert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption NotesAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanVUCA Map, Response Options, Signal and Learning Plan
Tagsno overlap
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
SensemakingUncertaintyComplexityStrategyForesight
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