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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |  Systems Thinking Iceberg Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. | The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 45-90 min | 30-90 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 3-8 | 2-10 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas |
Tags1 shared | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns |