Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by collecting variables, drawing causal links, and discussing leverage points.
Core question: Which feedback loops create the observed behavior, and which leverage point inside the system shifts it sustainably?
Mapping toolMethod form: Mapping tool. Describes how this method is used in practice.MediumComplexity: medium. Estimates preparation, facilitation effort, and method confidence needed.WorkshopFormat: workshop. Shows whether the method works in a workshop, asynchronously, or both.
1-3 h
2-8
Run sheet · visual · session plan
Details
Systems ThinkingCategory: Systems Thinking. Describes the method's domain of use.
Turns relationships, patterns, and leverage points into a tangible result by naming stocks, identifying inflows and outflows, and deriving behavior.
Core question: How does the central stock change over time, which flows and feedback loops drive behavior, and which intervention changes the dynamic structurally?
Mapping toolMethod form: Mapping tool. Describes how this method is used in practice.HighComplexity: high. Estimates preparation, facilitation effort, and method confidence needed.Workshop + asyncFormat: workshop or async. Shows whether the method works in a workshop, asynchronously, or both.
2-6 h
1-6
Run sheet · visual · session plan
Details
Systems ThinkingCategory: Systems Thinking. Describes the method's domain of use.
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.
Core question: How did the chosen variable behave over time, which patterns such as growth, decline, oscillation, or stagnation appeared, and which systemic causes sit behind the pattern?
Mapping toolMethod form: Mapping tool. Describes how this method is used in practice.LowComplexity: low. Estimates preparation, facilitation effort, and method confidence needed.Workshop + asyncFormat: workshop or async. Shows whether the method works in a workshop, asynchronously, or both.
20-45 min
1-10
Run sheet · visual · session plan
Details
Systems ThinkingCategory: Systems Thinking. Describes the method's domain of use.
Moves relationships, patterns, and leverage toward a concrete result through "formulate current observations", "introduce archetype cards", and "discuss leverage and derive actions".
Core question: Which archetype best explains recurring symptoms, and which levers are typical for this archetype?
Mapping toolMethod form: Mapping tool. Describes how this method is used in practice.HighComplexity: high. Estimates preparation, facilitation effort, and method confidence needed.WorkshopFormat: workshop. Shows whether the method works in a workshop, asynchronously, or both.
90-180 min
3-10
Run sheet · visual · session plan
Details
Systems ThinkingCategory: Systems Thinking. Describes the method's domain of use.
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".
Core question: Which dynamic effects and policy levers become visible when qualitative structure is calculated as quantitative model across the time horizon?
Analysis methodMethod form: Analysis method. Describes how this method is used in practice.HighComplexity: high. Estimates preparation, facilitation effort, and method confidence needed.AsyncFormat: async. Shows whether the method works in a workshop, asynchronously, or both.