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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Facilitation Mind Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking Systems Mapping | ![]() Decision Making Cynefin Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. | When problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 1-10 | 3-12 | 4-20 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | ComplexitySensemakingDecision |



