A master list, or atlas, of systems thinking frameworks, with cross-links so you can trace how the categories talk to each other. For when to use each one, see Strengths, weaknesses and pitfalls of systems thinking frameworks.
1. Core: How Systems Work
- General Systems Theory (Bertalanffy)
- System Dynamics (Forrester/Meadows)
- Iceberg Model
- Leverage Points (Meadows + detailed 12 points)
- System Archetypes (Senge)
- Hierarchy Theory (Allen & Starr)
- Viability / Autopoiesis (Maturana & Varela)
Connections
- Quant: System Dynamics links directly with ABM, DES, Markov.
- Soft Systems: Iceberg and Leverage Points underpin SSM & CSH.
- Complexity: Archetypes and Hierarchy feed Panarchy, CAS, tipping points.
2. Quant & Computational Modeling
- Agent-Based Modeling (ABM)
- Discrete-Event Simulation (DES)
- Influence Diagrams & Bayesian Networks
- Markov Models
- Network Science / SNA
- Ecological Network Analysis
- Petri Nets
- Game Theory & Evolutionary Games
- Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Modeling
Connections
- Core: ABM hybridizes with System Dynamics.
- Soft: ABM/Game Theory surface assumptions from SSM/Dialogue Mapping.
- Org: DES validates Value Stream Maps, DSM ↔ Network Science.
- Complexity: CAS ↔ ABM; tipping points ↔ network diffusion.
3. Qualitative / Soft Systems
- Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)
- Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)
- Systemic Intervention / Total Systems Intervention
- Dialogue Mapping / IBIS
- Interactive Planning (Ackoff)
- Strategic Assumption Surfacing & Testing
- Critical Systems Practice
- Appreciative Inquiry
Connections
- Core: Iceberg → SSM; Leverage Points → CSH.
- Org: SSM ↔ Viable System Model; Appreciative Inquiry ↔ Learning Organization.
- Quant: Dialogue Mapping aligns with Petri Nets for distributed processes.
4. Organizational & Enterprise
- Viable System Model (VSM)
- Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF)
- Design Structure Matrix (DSM)
- Wardley Mapping
- Theory of Constraints (TOC)
- Value Stream Mapping (Lean)
- Learning Organization (Senge)
- Business Model Canvas
- Integrated Reporting (IIRC)
- Balanced Scorecard
Connections
- Soft: VSM ↔ SSM; Scorecard ↔ CSH.
- Quant: DSM ↔ SNA; Value Stream ↔ DES.
- Complexity: Wardley Maps ↔ Cynefin; TOC ↔ Requisite Variety.
- Futures: Roadmapping ↔ Enterprise Architecture; Three Horizons ↔ Scorecard.
5. Complexity, Adaptation & Resilience
- Cynefin Framework
- Panarchy & Adaptive Cycle
- Resilience Engineering / Safety-II
- High-Reliability Organizing
- FRAM
- STAMP/STPA
- Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety
- Percolation Theory & Tipping Points
- Antifragility (Taleb)
- Complexity Leadership Theory
Connections
- Core: Archetypes ↔ CAS; Hierarchy ↔ Panarchy.
- Quant: FRAM ↔ Bayesian Networks; tipping ↔ SNA.
- Org: Cynefin guides which org tool to use; TOC ↔ Requisite Variety.
- Socio-Technical: Resilience ↔ Joint Cognitive Systems.
- Policy: Adaptive Management ↔ Safe-Fail Probes.
6. Socio-Technical & Human Activity
- Cognitive Work Analysis
- Joint Cognitive Systems
- Activity Theory
- Actor–Network Theory
- Human Activity Systems
- Distributed Cognition
- Sociotechnical Systems Design
- Work System Theory
Connections
- Complexity: Joint Cognitive Systems ↔ Resilience Engineering.
- Org: Work System Theory ↔ Enterprise Architecture.
- Futures: Activity Theory ↔ Three Horizons; ANT ↔ Scenario Planning.
- Core: Human Activity Systems ↔ Iceberg mental models.
7. Foresight & Futures
- Scenario Planning
- Three Horizons
- Causal Layered Analysis (CLA)
- Futures Wheel
- Morphological Analysis
- Cross-Impact Analysis
- Delphi Method
- Roadmapping
- Backcasting
- Wind Tunneling
Connections
- Org: Roadmaps ↔ Enterprise Architecture; Backcasting ↔ Business Model Canvas.
- Complexity: Scenarios ↔ Cynefin (uncertainty management).
- Policy: CLA ↔ Doughnut Economics; Backcasting ↔ Adaptive Management.
- Visualization: Gigamapping ↔ Scenario Planning.
8. Policy, Environment & Socio-Ecological
- DPSIR
- Socio-Ecological Systems (Ostrom)
- Adaptive Management
- Planetary Boundaries
- Doughnut Economics
- Triple Bottom Line
- Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs)
- Resilience Alliance SES Framework
- Safe-Fail Probes
Connections
- Complexity: Panarchy ↔ Planetary Boundaries; Adaptive Management ↔ Safe-Fail Probes.
- Change: DPSIR ↔ Theory of Change; Doughnut ↔ Sustainable Livelihoods.
- Decision: Resilience Matrix ↔ Planetary Boundaries.
9. Change, Evaluation & Impact
- Theory of Change / Logic Models
- Outcome Mapping
- Design for Transitions / Transition Mgmt
- Most Significant Change (MSC)
- Balanced Change Model (Burke-Litwin)
- Force-Field Analysis
- Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
Connections
- Org: Burke-Litwin ↔ Viable System Model.
- Policy: Livelihoods ↔ Doughnut; ToC ↔ DPSIR.
- Visualization: Force-Field ↔ Polarity Maps; MSC ↔ Rich Pictures.
10. Mapping & Visualization Toolkits
- Rich Pictures
- Systemigrams
- Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs)
- Stock & Flow Diagrams
- Gigamapping
- Stakeholder / Value Network Maps
- Influence / Driver Maps
- Functional Block Diagrams / SysML
- TRIZ Contradiction Matrix
- Polarity Maps
- Journey Systems Maps (Design)
Connections
- Core: CLDs/Stocks → System Dynamics.
- Soft: Rich Pictures ↔ SSM.
- Futures: Gigamapping ↔ Scenario Planning.
- Change: Force-Field ↔ Polarity Maps.
- Decision: TRIZ ↔ Scenario Matrix.
11. Decision & Risk Under Uncertainty
- Bowtie Analysis
- Swiss-Cheese Model
- OODA Loop
- Expected Value / Decision Analysis
- Portfolio Mapping
- Bayesian Decision Networks
- Scenario Matrix (2×2)
- Resilience Matrix (Linkov)
Connections
- Quant: Bayesian ↔ Influence Diagrams.
- Policy: Bowtie ↔ DPSIR; Resilience Matrix ↔ Planetary Boundaries.
- Futures: Scenario Matrix ↔ CLA.
- Org: Portfolio Mapping ↔ Balanced Scorecard.
Related: Systems thinking · Strengths, weaknesses and pitfalls of systems thinking frameworks