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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Product Strategy Lean Canvas |  Growth A/B Testing |  Product Discovery Smoke Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 an early product bet still has too many open points, it brings target group, problem, and assumptions into a single view. It condenses the idea so core risks become nameable. | When two variants compete, discussions quickly decide by taste rather than effect. A/B Testing checks behavior under controlled conditions and separates real improvement from chance or expectation effects. | When demand only needs to be roughly verified, it tests interest with minimal effort. It measures whether people would take a next step at all. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 1-4 Wochen | 1-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 1-6 | 1-6 | Nutzertraffic |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Lean Canvas, Core Assumptions, Experiment Backlog | Experiment results, Decision log, Learning summary | Interest Metrics, Conversion Signal, Learning Note |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | StartupLeanAssumptionsBusiness model | ExperimentsGrowthAnalyticsValidation | ValidationExperimentsDemandGrowth |