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Criterion
Paper illustration of Futures Wheel with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Futures Wheel
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Paper illustration for DACI
Decision Making
DACI
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
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 statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on.In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated.An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
60-120 min1-3 h30-60 min15-45 min
Participantsdifferent
3-101-82-101-3
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsync
Outputdifferent
Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic SignalsArgument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision RationaleDACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision LogADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap
ForesightSystems thinkingSignals
SensemakingDecisionRationale
DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
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