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Criterion
Paper illustration of Futures Wheel with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Futures Wheel
Paper illustration for Knowledge Mapping.
Knowledge Modeling
Knowledge Mapping
Paper illustration of several people silently writing ideas and passing sheets around with arrows.
Innovation
Brainwriting
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.Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable.When loud voices or hierarchy distort the idea search, the method creates a quiet entry into joint development. It gives everyone thinking space and gathers contributions without social brakes, making diversity more visible and easier to build on.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
60-120 min1-3 h15-30 min
Participantsdifferent
3-103-123-12
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic SignalsKnowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer PlanIdea sheets, Expanded concepts, Prioritized list
Tagsno overlap
ForesightSystems thinkingSignals
KnowledgeMappingRisk
BrainstormingCollaborationInclusionIdeas
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper mind map with a central course onboarding question, colored main branches, keywords and cross-links.
Facilitation
Mind Mapping
Paper illustration of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping
Paper illustration of Design Charrette with its method-specific working model.
Innovation
Design Charrette
Paper illustration for Reverse Brainstorming
Innovation
Reverse Brainstorming