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Criterion
Systems Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Systems Mapping
Paper illustration for CATWOE Analysis.
Systems Thinking
CATWOE Analysis
Paper illustration for Causal Factor Analysis.
Operations
Causal Factor Analysis
Purposedifferent
Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins.CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way.For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumHigh
Timedifferent
1-3 h45-90 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
3-123-83-10
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
System Map, Dependencies, Leverage PointsCATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, ConstraintsEvent Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange
Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders
CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Current Reality Tree
Systems Thinking
Current Reality Tree
Paper illustration of Barrier Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
Barrier Analysis
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram