Purpose
The method helps clarify relationships, patterns, and leverage points concretely. It maps relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The outcome is captured as a stock-and-flow model, dynamics notes, and simulation hypotheses.
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram
Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by naming stocks, identifying inflows and outflows, and deriving behavior.
How does the central stock change over time, which flows and feedback loops drive behavior, and which intervention changes the dynamic structurally?
HighWorkshop + async2-6 h
How it works
The team follows the steps: name stocks, identify inflows and outflows, add delays and feedback, validate logic, and derive behavior. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, a stock-and-flow model, dynamics notes, and simulation hypotheses are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Flow
- 1Name stocks
- 2Identify inflows and outflows
- 3Add delays and feedback
- 4Validate logic
- 5Derive behavior
The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Capacity Planning
- Pipeline Dynamics
- Resource Problems
Not good for
- Fast story workshops
- Pure architecture communication
Deep dive
In detail
Stock and Flow Diagram follows a clear working logic: name stocks, identify inflows and outflows, add delays and feedback, validate logic, and derive behavior. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. Participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. As a result, stock-and-flow models, dynamics notes, and simulation hypotheses support decisions, learning, or further planning.
Facilitation
Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 2-6 h with 1-6 people and use the format in a workshop or asynchronously. The method is demanding and should be prepared carefully; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.
Output artifacts
Stock and Flow ModelDynamics NotesSimulation Hypotheses
Artifact templates
Stock and Flow Diagram Working TemplateCompact working template for Stock and Flow Diagram with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.canvas
Stock and Flow Diagram Working TemplateCompact working template for Stock and Flow Diagram with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
canvasstock-and-flow-diagram-working-template.md
Compact working template for Stock and Flow Diagram with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
Stock and Flow Diagram Canvas
Context
What is this method used for?
Core question
Which question should be answered at the end?
Input
Which data, observations, or materials are available?
Working area
- Area 1:
- Area 2:
- Area 3:
- Relationships / patterns:
Output artifacts
- Stock and Flow Model:
- Dynamics Notes:
- Simulation Hypotheses:
Open questions
- ...
Next step
Owner, date, success signal.
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
Causal Loop Diagram
Statt Stock and Flow Diagram, wenn qualitative Wirkbeziehungen reichen und Bestände noch nicht quantifiziert werden müssen.
Similar methods
All methodsSystems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by collecting variables, drawing causal links, and discussing leverage points.
Statt Stock and Flow Diagram, wenn qualitative Wirkbeziehungen reichen und Bestände noch nicht quantifiziert werden müssen.
Systems Thinking
System Archetypes
Moves relationships, patterns, and leverage toward a concrete result through "formulate current observations", "introduce archetype cards", and "discuss leverage and derive actions".
Systems Thinking
Behavior Over Time Graph
Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by choosing a variable and time span, plotting the trend over time, and deriving cause hypotheses.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Moves relationships, patterns, and leverage toward a concrete result through "define the question and time horizon", "define stocks and flows", and "run scenarios and vary assumptions".
Systems Thinking
Leverage Points
Moves relationships, patterns, and leverage toward a concrete result through "introduce the twelve leverage points", "collect planned actions", and "formulate a strategy across multiple levers".
Systems Thinking
Rich Picture
Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by selecting a situation, drawing actors and issues, and discussing insights.