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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |  Facilitation Dot Voting |  Facilitation Alignment 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. | When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. | When a workshop has produced too many options and the group needs to condense quickly, dot voting makes preferences visible in a short time. It bundles individual votes into a solid signal for the next selection. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | 60–90 min | 5-15 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | 2-8 | 3-20 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes | Ranked list, Consensus signal, Shortlist | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange | FacilitationVotingConsensusPrioritization | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |