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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Futures Wheel |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Architecture C4 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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 45-90 min | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-8 | 1-5 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |
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