methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration for TOWS Matrix.
Business Strategy
TOWS Matrix
Paper illustration of a branching impact map with a Why goal at the root, actor circles, How behavior changes and What options.
Product Strategy
Impact Mapping
A hypothetical failure makes concrete risks, signals, and fitting mitigations visible.
Decision Making
Pre-Mortem
Purposedifferent
The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking.When a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures.In early initiatives with many uncertainties, planning quickly turns too optimistic. A pre-mortem makes the expected failure visible in advance and sharpens the view of causes, gaps, and countermeasures.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h45-90 min20–45 min
Participantsdifferent
3-103-8Small cross-functional group
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority ActionsImpact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery OptionsRisk list, Mitigation plan, Assumption log
Tagsno overlap
StrategyAnalysisOptions
OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning
RiskDecisionFailurePlanning
Add more methods

Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Constraint Analysis.
Decision Making
Constraint Analysis
Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP Analysis
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration of Business Model Stress Test with its method-specific working model.
Business Strategy
Business Model Stress Test