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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Decision Making Delphi Method |  Decision Making Constraint 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. | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-3 h | 1-4 Wochen | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-8 | 6-30 Experten | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision Boundaries |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions |