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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Facilitation Lean Coffee |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |  Facilitation World Café |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a group without a fixed agenda needs to get into useful conversations quickly, Lean Coffee structures the start around interests rather than a presentation. The group itself negotiates which topics get time first and which wait. | 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. | When a group needs to connect many viewpoints in a short time, World Café creates a calm alternation between closeness and rotation. It sets thinking in motion without forcing the conversation into full-plenary rigidity. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 30-90 min | 1-3 h | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-20 | 1-8 | 12-100+ |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue | SensemakingDecisionRationale | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking |