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Criterion
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Paper illustration of many question cards around one challenge
Facilitation
Question Burst
Paper illustration for Round Robin Brainstorming
Innovation
Round Robin Brainstorming
Paper illustration of the Lotus Blossom working structure.
Innovation
Lotus Blossom
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 problem gets covered up too quickly with answers, Question Burst puts the better question at the center. The format opens the thinking space before the group commits to an interpretation.With unevenly distributed speaking time, the method brings every person into the contribution one after another. It prevents early voices from setting the direction while still producing a shared idea space. This makes participation plannable and the team's diversity visible.When a central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem.
Complexitydifferent
HighLowLowLow
Timedifferent
0.5-3 Tage15-30 min20-45 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
5-152-84-103-10
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaQuestion List, Reframed Challenge, Learning PromptsIdea List, Cluster, ShortlistLotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist
Tagsno overlap
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
QuestionsReframingFacilitationSensemaking
BrainstormingIdeationFacilitationInclusionCreativity
BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop
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