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Criterion
A hypothetical failure makes concrete risks, signals, and fitting mitigations visible.
Decision Making
Pre-Mortem
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Purposedifferent
In early initiatives with many uncertainties, planning quickly turns too optimistic. A pre-mortem makes the expected failure visible in advance and sharpens the view of causes, gaps, and countermeasures.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports.A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowHighMedium
Timedifferent
20–45 min45-90 minMehrere Tage bis Wochen1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
Small cross-functional group2-81-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron2-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Risk list, Mitigation plan, Assumption logAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanSimulation Model, Scenario ReportsCausal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points
Tagsno overlap
RiskDecisionFailurePlanning
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis
FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics
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