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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Facilitation Lean Coffee | ![]() Facilitation Stakeholder 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 an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. | 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 | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 30-90 min | 60–90 min | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-20 | 2-8 | 12-100+ |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking |



