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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Facilitation Responsibility Poker |  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. | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | When it stays unclear who carries responsibility and who only contributes, Responsibility Poker makes the distribution of responsibility explicit. It sharpens the boundaries between weighing in, deciding, and bearing consequences. | 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 | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-12 | 3-10 | 1-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Responsibility Map, Role Agreements, Open Questions | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | RolesResponsibilityTeamFacilitation | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking |