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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. | 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. | With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 45-90 min | 1-3 h | 45-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides |
Tagsno overlap | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions |