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Criterion
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of Leverage Points with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Leverage Points
Paper illustration of VUCA Scan with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
VUCA Scan
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.SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning.Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy.The VUCA Scan helps read difficult situations more precisely. Instead of treating unclarity as generally complicated, the method separates fast change, missing knowledge, systemic entanglement, and ambiguous interpretation.
Complexitydifferent
HighHighHighLow
Timedifferent
0.5-3 TagePreparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scopeHalf day30-90 min
Participantsdifferent
5-15Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting3-121-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change AgendaDomain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternativesLeverage Map, Action StrategyVUCA Map, Response Options, Signal and Learning Plan
Tagsno overlap
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
Systems thinkingChangeStrategy
SensemakingUncertaintyComplexityStrategyForesight
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