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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology | ![]() Facilitation Question Burst | ![]() Facilitation World Café | ![]() Facilitation Lean Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 15-30 min | 60-180 min | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-8 | 12-100+ | 3-20 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Question List, Reframed Challenge, Learning Prompts | Table Notes, Emergent Themes, Shared Questions | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | QuestionsReframingFacilitationSensemaking | FacilitationDialogueLarge groupSensemaking | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue |



