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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Systems Thinking Stock and Flow Diagram |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | 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 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 | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 2-6 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points |
Tags1 shared | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics |
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