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Criterion
Paper illustration of Futures Wheel with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
Futures Wheel
Four paper stations connect system purpose, quality goals, risk cards and focused investigation with a target and gap profile.
Architecture
LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
Paper illustration for PERT Estimation.
Decision Making
PERT Estimation
Paper illustration for Dot Estimation.
Facilitation
Dot Estimation
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.LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail.On complex initiatives, a plain average tends to understate just how uncertain the outcome really is. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a PERT Estimate, Expected Value, and Risk Notes.When size or effort can only be estimated roughly, Dot Estimation condenses the group's experience into a quick range. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as an Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, and Discussion Targets.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
60-120 min3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional15-45 min5-20 min
Participantsdifferent
3-101 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people1-83-20
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Futures Wheel, Consequence Chains, Strategic SignalsLean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checksPERT Estimate, Expected Value, Risk NotesEffort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion Targets
Tagsno overlap
ForesightSystems thinkingSignals
ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean
EstimationUncertaintyRisk
EstimationEffortRisk
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