View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Systems Thinking Futures Wheel | ![]() Business Strategy Scenario Planning | ![]() Product Strategy Impact Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Futures Wheel helps explore the consequences of a decision, a trend, or a strategic move in a structured way. It makes visible which first, second, and third-order effects could arise from an event. | Scenario Planning opens the view to several plausible futures instead of a single forecast. The method protects strategies from depending on too narrow an expected path. | When a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 60-120 min | 0.5-2 Tage | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-10 | 4-12 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | Scenario Set, Strategic Implications, Robust Options | Impact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery Options |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | StrategyUncertaintyPlanning | OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning |



