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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud | ![]() Decision Making Cynefin Workshop | ![]() Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | When problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 60-120 min | 60-180 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-8 | 4-20 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | ComplexitySensemakingDecision | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery |



