CatalogMethod sketches

Method sketches.

All method sketches in one place: jump alphabetically, filter by category, and open the matching method directly.

Alphabet

A B C D E FGHIJK L MNO PQR S T U V WXYZ0-9

A

2 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Decision MakingMapping toolMedium

Argument Mapping

Clarifies options, criteria, and risks by framing the central question, recording the main claim, and marking weak spots.

Open method

Sources

ReasoningLab: Argument Mappingreasoninglab.com

Visual wird geladen

Product DiscoveryMapping toolMedium

Assumption Mapping

Sorts assumptions by uncertainty and leverage so the riskiest hypotheses get tested first.

Open method

Sources

How assumptions mapping can focus your teams on running experiments that matter | David J. Bland, Strategyzerstrategyzer.com Assumptions Mapping Fundamentals | David J. Blanddavidjbland.com

B

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolLow

Behavior Over Time Graph

Traces developments over time and reveals turning points, patterns, and possible causes of a trend.

Open method

Sources

Behavior Over Time Graphthinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

C

8 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

ArchitectureMapping toolLow

C4 Model

Makes system, container, and building blocks legible in graduated views, easing architecture communication.

Open method

Sources

C4 model: Diagramsc4model.com

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

CATWOE Analysis

Sharpens an ambiguous problem situation through perspectives, transformation, and boundaries up to a root definition.

Open method

Sources

CATWOE Analysisopen.edu

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolHigh

Causal Factor Analysis

Reconstructs a chain of events, marks factors, and derives verifiable causes and corrective actions.

Open method

Sources

U.S. Department of Energy: Root Cause Analysis Guidance Document (DOE-NE-STD-1004-92), Section 5.2.1 Events and Causal Factor Analysisenergy.gov

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

Causal Loop Diagram

Draws feedback, reinforcement, and balance so patterns, levers, and side effects become understandable.

Open method

Sources

Causal loop diagram paper · System Dynamics Societyproceedings.systemdynamics.org Stock and Flow Mapping · System Thinking for Architectssystem-thinking.meierhoff-systems.de

Visual wird geladen

Knowledge ModelingMapping toolMedium

Concept Mapping

Clarifies concepts, relationships, and rules by framing the focus question, gathering concepts, and checking gaps and contradictions.

Open method

Sources

The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct and Use Themcmap.ihmc.us Constructing Your First Concept Mapcmap.ihmc.us

Visual wird geladen

Domain ModelingMapping toolMedium

Context Map

Shows relationships between business contexts and makes integration patterns, dependencies, and friction points visible.

Open method

Sources

Bounded Context · Martin Fowlermartinfowler.com

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolHigh

Current Reality Tree

Clarifies connections, patterns, and leverage points by collecting undesirable effects, formulating causal links, and deriving interventions.

Open method

Sources

Flying Logic: Current Reality Treedocs.flyinglogic.com

Visual wird geladen

UX ResearchMapping toolMedium

Customer Journey Mapping

Bundles phases, emotions, and pain points along a journey to prioritize opportunities and critical moments.

Open method

Sources

Customer Journey Mapping · Nielsen Norman Groupnngroup.com

D

2 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Domain ModelingMapping toolMedium

Domain Context Map

Makes domain boundaries, ownership, and relationships visible so modeling questions and responsibilities get cleanly resolved.

Open method

Sources

DDD Crew: Context Mappinggithub.com

Visual wird geladen

Knowledge ModelingMapping toolLow

Domain Storytelling

Translates domain knowledge into a narrated situation where terms, relationships, and rules are checked together.

Open method

Sources

Quick-Start Guide · Domain Storytellingdomainstorytelling.org

E

2 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

Evaporating Cloud

Explains a conflict through positions, needs, the shared objective, and the assumptions that keep the conflict in place.

Open method

Sources

Evaporating Cloudlearningcenter.tocico.org

Visual wird geladen

Knowledge ModelingMapping toolMedium

Event Modeling

Links events, commands, and views into a flow picture that brings UI, behavior, and implementation together.

Open method

Sources

Event Modelingeventmodeling.org

F

7 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolMedium

Family Tree Analysis

A recurring incident pattern links related cases across time so systemic causes become visible beyond one event.

Open method

Sources

U.S. Department of Energy: Accident Prevention and Investigation Programenergy.gov

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolHigh

Fault Tree Analysis

Models a top event with AND and OR branches to make critical paths and causes visible.

Open method

Sources

Fault Tree Analysisextapps.ksc.nasa.gov

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolLow

Fishbone Diagram

Sorts possible causes into categories and creates a shared picture for investigation and next tests.

Open method

Sources

ASQ · What is a Fishbone Diagram?asq.org ASQ · Root Cause Analysis Toolsasq.org

Visual wird geladen

GrowthMapping toolMedium

Flywheel

Maps a recurring growth loop, marks friction points, and derives reinforcing levers.

Open method

Sources

Flywheeljimcollins.com

Visual wird geladen

Decision MakingMapping toolLow

Force Field Analysis

Pits driving and restraining forces against each other to deliberately derive change levers and interventions.

Open method

Sources

ASQ: Force Field Analysisasq.org

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolHigh

Future Reality Tree

Tests a planned change against desired effects and uncovers side effects, assumptions, and weak points.

Open method

Sources

Future Reality Treelearningcenter.tocico.org

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

Futures Wheel

Arranges direct and indirect consequences of a change radially, so future impacts and cascades of consequences become visible.

Open method

Sources

The Millennium Project: Futures Research Methodologymillennium-project.org

I

3 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Knowledge ModelingMapping toolMedium

IBIS

Clarifies concepts, relationships, and rules by framing the issue, collecting positions, and marking decisions or open questions.

Open method

Sources

gIBIS: A Hypertext Tool for Exploratory Policy Discussiondoi.org Dialogue Mapping: Building Shared Understanding of Wicked Problemscognexus.org

Visual wird geladen

Product StrategyMapping toolMedium

Impact Mapping

Converts goals into actors, behavior changes, and delivery options, showing which steps have leverage.

Open method

Sources

Drawing Impact Maps | Gojko Adzicimpactmapping.org Example Impact Maps | Gojko Adzicimpactmapping.org

Visual wird geladen

DevOpsMapping toolMedium

Incident Timeline Analysis

Arranges events, decisions, and delays chronologically and makes causes and lessons learned visible.

Open method

Sources

Incident Timeline Analysissre.google

K

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Product StrategyMapping toolMedium

KPI Tree

Moves target group, value, goals, and priorities toward a concrete result through "define the top metric", "describe the main driver of the top metric", and "set the review cadence".

Open method

Sources

Amplitude: North Star Playbookamplitude.com

L

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolHigh

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".

Open method

Sources

Donella Meadows: Leverage Pointsdonellameadows.org

M

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

FacilitationMapping toolLow

Mind Mapping

Unfolds a central topic into branches, clusters, and open questions until relevant areas become selectable.

Open method

Sources

Tony Buzan International · Mind Mapping Foundationtonybuzan.com Mind maps · Interaction Design Foundationixdf.org

O

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Product DiscoveryMapping toolMedium

Opportunity Solution Tree

Links outcomes, opportunities, solution paths, and experiments into a tree that makes discovery work steerable.

Open method

Sources

Opportunity Solution Trees | Teresa Torresproducttalk.org Why This Opportunity Solution Tree Is Changing the Way Product Teams Work | Teresa Torresproducttalk.org

P

3 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

Polarity Mapping

Clarifies connections, patterns, and leverage points by treating the issue as a polarity, naming the poles, and defining balance actions.

Open method

Sources

Polarity Thinkingpolaritypartnerships.com And: Making a Difference by Leveraging Polarity, Paradox or Dilemmapolaritypartnerships.com

Visual wird geladen

FacilitationMapping toolLow

Power Interest Grid

Moves group input, selection, and decision toward a concrete result through "collect stakeholders individually and by group", "explain power and interest", and "derive a strategy for each quadrant".

Open method

Sources

UK Government Analysis Function: Stakeholder Mappinganalysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolMedium

Process Mapping

Visualizes workflows with roles and handoffs so problems, media breaks, and improvement opportunities become visible.

Open method

Sources

Flowchart and process mapping | ASQasq.org

R

2 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolLow

Rich Picture

Makes an unclear problem situation visible with actors, tensions, and flows before premature solutions emerge.

Open method

Sources

Rich pictures · Open University OpenLearnopen.edu

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolMedium

Root Cause Tree Analysis

Clarifies workflows, data, causes, and improvements by framing the problem precisely, branching possible causes, and defining countermeasures.

Open method

Sources

US Department of Energy: Root Cause Analysis Guidanceenergy.gov

S

10 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

OperationsMapping toolLow

Scatter Diagram

Paired data points reveal whether two variables move together and where a suspected relationship needs deeper proof.

Open method

Sources

NIST Engineering Statistics Handbook: Scatter Plotsitl.nist.gov

Visual wird geladen

UX DesignMapping toolHigh

Service Blueprinting

Makes service flows, touchpoints, and responsibilities visible so frontstage and backstage are refined together.

Open method

Sources

The 5 Steps to Service Blueprinting · Nielsen Norman Groupnngroup.com

Visual wird geladen

Team DesignMapping toolMedium

Spotify Model Mapping

Moves team boundaries, interfaces, and collaboration toward a concrete result through "prepare a template with the four structures", "place current teams as squads", and "derive actions".

Open method

Sources

Spotify Engineering Culture, part 1blog.crisp.se

Visual wird geladen

FacilitationMapping toolLow

Stakeholder Mapping

Arranges influence, interest, and relationships into a working map that makes engagement and risks transparent.

Open method

Sources

Stakeholder engagement: a practical guide - UK Governmentassets.publishing.service.gov.uk Stakeholder Engagement Plan - EBRDebrd.com

Visual wird geladen

FacilitationMapping toolMedium

Stakeholder Salience Model

Moves group input, selection, and decision toward a concrete result through "prepare the stakeholder list", "define power, legitimacy, and urgency", and "derive strategy by class".

Open method

Sources

Mitchell, Agle & Wood: Toward a Theory of Stakeholder Identification and Saliencedoi.org

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolHigh

Stock and Flow Diagram

Models stocks, inflows and outflows, and delays to understand dynamics, bottlenecks, and capacity.

Open method

Sources

System Dynamics Learning Guidepressbooks.lib.jmu.edu

Visual wird geladen

UX DesignMapping toolMedium

Storyboarding

Links scenes, context, and annotations into a testable flow that makes concept ideas discussable early.

Open method

Sources

Storyboards Help Visualize UX Ideas - NN/Gnngroup.com UX Stories Communicate Design - NN/Gnngroup.com

Visual wird geladen

Business StrategyMapping toolMedium

Strategy Map

Visualizes strategic objectives and cause-and-effect relationships so a leadership team sees the same strategy story.

Open method

Sources

Harvard Business Review: Having Trouble with Your Strategy? Then Map Ithbr.org

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolHigh

System Archetypes

Moves relationships, patterns, and leverage toward a concrete result through "formulate current observations", "introduce archetype cards", and "discuss leverage and derive actions".

Open method

Sources

The Systems Thinker: Systems Archetypesthesystemsthinker.com

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

Systems Mapping

Arranges components, relationships, and flows into a system picture that exposes dependencies and levers.

Open method

Sources

Systems maps | OpenLearnopen.edu

T

2 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Team DesignMapping toolMedium

Team Topologies Interaction Modes

Moves team boundaries, interfaces, and collaboration toward a concrete result through "prepare the team list", "explain the three modes with examples", and "document agreements per pair".

Open method

Sources

Team Topologies: Team Interaction Modelingteamtopologies.com

Visual wird geladen

FacilitationMapping toolLow

Timeline

Condenses events into a chronological view of milestones, patterns, and dependencies.

Open method

Sources

Agile Retrospectives · Timeline Activityoreilly.com Cross-Section Evidence-based Timelines for Software Process Improvement Retrospectivesarxiv.org

U

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Product DiscoveryMapping toolMedium

User Story Mapping

Arranges user goals and activities into a story map that reveals the MVP cut and release slices.

Open method

Sources

User Story Mapping | Jeff Pattonjpattonassociates.com The New User Story Backlog is a Map | Jeff Pattonjpattonassociates.com

V

2 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Business StrategyMapping toolHigh

Value Chain Analysis

Moves the current situation, opportunities, and strategic options toward a concrete result through "explain the nine-activity template", "describe primary activities", and "derive levers and weaknesses".

Open method

Sources

Harvard Business School: The Value Chainisc.hbs.edu

Visual wird geladen

DeliveryMapping toolMedium

Value Stream Mapping

Maps a service's path all the way to delivery and exposes wait times, waste, and bottlenecks.

Open method

Sources

Understanding the Fundamentals of Value-Stream Mapping · Lean Enterprise Institutelean.org

W

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

Systems ThinkingMapping toolMedium

Wardley Mapping

Maps value creation and evolution stages so strategic options, levers, and market movements become legible.

Open method

Sources

Introduction · Learn Wardley Mappinglearnwardleymapping.com

0-9

1 method sketches

Visual wird geladen

FacilitationMapping toolLow

3-Circle Venn Diagram

Compares three perspectives in a shared picture and makes overlaps as visible as differences.

Open method

Sources

Lucidchart: Venn Diagramlucid.co