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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() 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. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | 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 | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-10 | 1-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking |
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