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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Iceberg Model |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Operations Family Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring. | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 1-2 h | 1-4 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-10 | 3-12 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic |