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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Facilitation Expectation Mapping |  Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 20-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-12 | 1-10 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |