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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Futures Wheel | ![]() Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 1-2 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic Signals | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections |
Tagsno overlap | ForesightSystems thinkingSignals | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange |
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