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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Systems Mapping | ![]() Innovation Crazy 8s | ![]() Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree | ![]() Innovation Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. | With only a few minutes available and a still-fuzzy solution search, the method forces a wide range of variants. It produces fast sketches before the first idea can settle in, making different directions directly comparable and open to further development. | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | When a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 8-15 min | 2-4 h | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-10 | 3-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Sketch Set, Idea Shortlist, Direction Options | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Idea pool, Theme clusters, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | BrainstormingSketchingSpeedDivergenceDesign sprint | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence |



