View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Futures Wheel |  Systems Thinking Behavior Over Time Graph |  Operations 5 Whys |  Systems Thinking Iceberg Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 20-45 min | 15-30 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-10 | 2-6 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | Behavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns |