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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Systems Thinking Stock and Flow Diagram |  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. | A Stock and Flow Diagram shows how stocks, inflows, and outflows shape a system over time. It is especially suited when growth, delays, or capacity limits determine the dynamics. | 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 | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-6 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-6 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections |
Tags1 shared | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange |
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