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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Systems Thinking Stock and Flow Diagram |  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. | 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. | 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 | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-6 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-6 | 1-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events |
Tags2 shared | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics |
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