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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Product Strategy Lean Canvas |  Product Discovery Assumption Mapping |  Innovation Lean Startup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. | For uncertain business assumptions, the method forces the idea into contact with real market reactions early. It separates wishful picture, assumption, and observable behavior, so that learning becomes faster than planning. This translates uncertainty into measurable insight. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-90 min | 45-60 min | Wochen bis Monate je Lernzyklus |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 1-6 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Lean Canvas, Core Assumptions, Experiment Backlog | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking | Hypothesis list, MVPs, Learning reports, Pivot or persevere decision |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | StartupLeanAssumptionsBusiness model | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation | LeanStartupValidationMVP |