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Criterion
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping
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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly.
Complexitydifferent
HighMediumMedium
Timedifferent
0.5-3 Tage1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-2 h
Participantsdifferent
5-153-20 Reviewer1-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsConcept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps
Tagsno overlap
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping