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Criterion
Paper illustration of Futures Wheel with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Futures Wheel
Paper illustration for Alignment Mapping.
Facilitation
Alignment Mapping
Paper illustration of Leverage Points with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Leverage Points
Stakeholder Mapping
Facilitation
Stakeholder Mapping
Purposedifferent
The Futures Wheel helps explore the consequences of a decision, a trend, or a strategic move in a structured way. It makes visible which first, second, and third-order effects could arise from an event.When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable.Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy.When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumHighLow
Timedifferent
60-120 min1-2 hHalf day60–90 min
Participantsdifferent
3-104-123-122-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic SignalsAlignment Map, Open Issues, Decision QuestionsLeverage Map, Action StrategyStakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes
Tagsno overlap
ForesightSystems thinkingSignals
AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation
Systems thinkingChangeStrategy
StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange
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