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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Facilitation Expectation Mapping |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 60-120 min | 60–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-12 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange |