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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Agile Starfish Retrospective |  Agile Start Stop Continue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | When improvement options need to be sorted more finely than just start and stop, it brings observations into clear kinds of action. This makes visible what should be done more, less, newly, or continued. | When a team wants to deliberately adjust its working behavior, it makes habits visible and assessable. It focuses on concrete changes instead of diffuse mood. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 3-12 | 4-12 | 3-12 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Starfish Board, Practice Changes, Experiments | Start Stop Continue Board, Improvement Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | RetrospectiveImprovementExperimentsTeam | RetrospectiveImprovementTeamReflection |