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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Systems Mapping | ![]() Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis | ![]() Systems Thinking Rich Picture | ![]() Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 30-90 min | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-8 | 2-10 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections |
Tags1 shared | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange |



