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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Facilitation Expectation Mapping | ![]() Decision Making Argument Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 1-3 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-12 | 1-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | SensemakingDecisionRationale | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders |



