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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Product Discovery Assumption 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. | 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 assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 0.5-3 Tage | 45-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 5-15 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation |
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