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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Systems Thinking Stock and Flow Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | A Stock and Flow Diagram shows how stocks, inflows, and outflows shape a system over time. It is especially suited when growth, delays, or capacity limits determine the dynamics. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-6 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-10 | 1-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking |
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