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Criterion
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Paper illustration for Behavior Over Time Graph.
Systems Thinking
Behavior Over Time Graph
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Purposedifferent
When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers.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.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
LowLowMedium
Timedifferent
30-60 min20-45 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
2-81-102-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation BacklogBehavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key EventsCausal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points
Tagsno overlap
Root causeQualityOperations
Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics
FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Current Reality Tree
Systems Thinking
Current Reality Tree
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Iceberg Model method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Iceberg Model
Stock and Flow Diagram method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram