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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |  UX Research Card Sorting |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once. | When content only makes sense internally and users can't find the structure again, card sorting exposes their mental order. Terms, groups, and naming are then aligned with the target group's expectations. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 20-45 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | Based on research question | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas | Content groups, Label set, IA hypotheses | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality | Information architectureNavigationStructure | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics |
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