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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Architecture arc42 |  Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 Tage | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-4 | 1-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics |
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