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Criterion
Paper illustration for Future Reality Tree.
Systems Thinking
Future Reality Tree
Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Paper illustration for Current Reality Tree
Systems Thinking
Current Reality Tree
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 Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once.
Complexitydifferent
HighMediumHigh
Timedifferent
2-4 h45-90 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
3-82-83-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved InjectionsDecision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected OptionCurrent Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas
Tagsno overlap
Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange
DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs
Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Theory of Constraints Thinking Process.
Systems Thinking
Theory of Constraints Thinking Process
Paper illustration for Trade-off Analysis.
Decision Making
Trade-off Analysis
Paper illustration for Causal Factor Analysis.
Operations
Causal Factor Analysis
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram