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Criterion
Paper illustration of Futures Wheel with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Futures Wheel
Paper illustration for Future Reality Tree.
Systems Thinking
Future Reality Tree
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for Evaporating Cloud.
Systems Thinking
Evaporating Cloud
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 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.When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighLowMedium
Timedifferent
60-120 min2-4 h30-120 min60-120 min
Participantsdifferent
3-103-82-62-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic SignalsFuture Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved InjectionsObservation Notes, Improvement IdeasConflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments
Tagsno overlap
ForesightSystems thinkingSignals
Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange
LeanObservationProcessOperations
Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking
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