Workflow for Creating a Causal Loop Diagram

Using this MicroSim Infographic

This MicroSim Infographic can be used to facilitate a course on systems thinking.

Title: Teaching Causal Loop Diagrams to Business Managers: Interactive Workshop Guide

Workshop Overview

Target Audience: Business managers, team leaders, and decision-makers Duration: 4-hour workshop (can be split into two 2-hour sessions) Group Size: 8-15 participants Delivery Method: Interactive workshop using the CLD workflow infographic as a visual guide

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand Systems Thinking Fundamentals: Recognize how business problems are often symptoms of underlying systemic issues
Apply the 12-Step CLD Process: Use the structured workflow to create their own causal loop diagrams
Identify Business Leverage Points: Find high-impact intervention opportunities within their organizations
Facilitate Team Systems Analysis: Lead their teams through collaborative systems thinking exercises
Make Better Strategic Decisions: Use CLDs to anticipate unintended consequences and design more effective solutions

Pre-Workshop Preparation

For the Facilitator

Set up interactive display showing the CLD workflow infographic
Prepare flip chart paper, sticky notes, markers for each team
Select 2-3 real business case studies relevant to participants' industries
Create digital templates for CLD documentation
Prepare evaluation forms and follow-up resources

For Participants

Pre-reading: Send "Fixes that Fail" and "Success to the Successful" archetype examples
Reflection Exercise: Ask participants to identify one recurring problem in their organization
Case Study Preview: Distribute chosen business cases 48 hours before workshop

Detailed Lesson Plan

Opening Session: Introduction to Systems Thinking (45 minutes)

Activity 1: The Problem Behind the Problem (15 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Display Step 1 (Define Problem & Boundaries)

Facilitation: 1. Pair Exercise: Participants share their pre-workshop recurring problems with a partner 2. Guided Questions: - "When you 'solve' this problem, does it come back?" - "What are you typically treating - the symptom or the root cause?" - "Who else is affected when this problem occurs?"

Learning Connection: This demonstrates why Step 1's boundary-setting is crucial - most business problems are interconnected with other organizational systems.

Activity 2: Interactive Infographic Walkthrough (20 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Navigate through all 12 steps with hover interactions

Facilitation Technique: - Step Clustering: Group steps into four phases: - Foundation (Steps 1-3): Problem definition and variable identification - System Mapping (Steps 4-6): Relationships and visual design - Validation & Leverage (Steps 7-9): Testing and intervention points - Implementation & Learning (Steps 10-12): Documentation and iteration

Key Teaching Points: - "Notice how we don't jump to solutions until Step 9" - "Steps 11-12 show this is an ongoing process, not a one-time exercise" - "The feedback arrow from Step 12 to Step 8 represents continuous improvement"

Activity 3: Systems Thinking Mindset Shift (10 minutes)

Discussion Questions: - "How is this different from traditional problem-solving approaches?" - "What business decisions might benefit from this systematic approach?" - "Where do you typically start when facing organizational challenges?"

Session 1: Core Process Steps (90 minutes)

Steps 1-3: Foundation Building (30 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Focus on the first row (red, teal, blue boxes)

Hands-On Exercise: "The Customer Retention Challenge" Scenario: A software company faces declining customer retention rates

Step 1 Application (10 minutes): - Individual Work: Define the problem and system boundaries - Guided Questions: - "What's the time horizon for this analysis?" - "Which departments should be included?" - "What external factors are beyond our control?"

Step 2 Application (10 minutes): - Small Groups (3-4 people): Brainstorm key variables - Categories to Consider: - Customer satisfaction metrics - Product quality indicators - Support response times - Pricing factors - Competitor actions - Facilitator Tip: Use the infographic's hover descriptions to guide variable identification

Step 3 Application (10 minutes): - Pair Work: Establish causal relationships between variables - Testing Framework: "If X increases, does Y increase or decrease? Why?" - Document: Relationships on sticky notes with (+) or (-) indicators

Steps 4-5: System Architecture (30 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Highlight Steps 4-5 (green and yellow boxes)

Step 4 Deep Dive: Loop Identification Workshop Exercise Structure: 1. Demo Loop Finding (10 minutes): - Use customer retention variables from previous exercise - Trace: Poor Service → Customer Dissatisfaction → Complaints → Rushed Fixes → Poorer Service - Ask: "Is this a reinforcing or balancing loop? How do you know?"

Team Practice (20 minutes):
Teams identify 2-3 feedback loops in their scenario
Success Criteria: Each loop should have at least 3 variables and return to starting point
Facilitator Coaching: Walk between teams, use infographic descriptions to guide discovery

Step 5 Application: Layout Planning - Visual Planning Exercise: Teams sketch their CLD on flip chart paper - Design Principles (from infographic): - Clear flow direction - Minimal crossing lines - Loop symbols positioned centrally

Steps 6-7: Technical Implementation (30 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Focus on purple and light green boxes

Practical Application: 1. Digital Translation (15 minutes): - Introduce JSON schema concepts (simplified) - Show how paper sketches become structured data - Demo: Use one team's CLD to show node and edge definitions

Loop Symbol Placement (15 minutes):
Hands-On: Teams add R/B symbols to their paper CLDs
Quality Check: Does each symbol accurately represent loop behavior?
Peer Review: Teams rotate and validate each other's loop identifications

Break (15 minutes)

Session 2: Analysis and Application (90 minutes)

Steps 8-9: Validation and Leverage Points (45 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Steps 8-9 (yellow and purple boxes)

Step 8: Model Testing Workshop Scenario Testing Exercise (20 minutes): - Question Framework: "What if we..." scenarios - Example Tests: - "What if customer complaints increased by 50%?" - "What if we doubled our support staff?" - "What if a competitor lowered their prices significantly?" - Team Activity: Each team tests 3 scenarios on their CLD - Validation Questions: - "Does the model predict realistic outcomes?" - "Are there delays we haven't considered?" - "Would stakeholders recognize this pattern?"

Step 9: Finding High-Impact Interventions (25 minutes): Leverage Points Framework Application:

Introduction to Meadows' Hierarchy (10 minutes):
Level 1-3: Parameters and numbers (lowest leverage)
Level 4-6: System structure and rules (moderate leverage)
Level 7-9: Goals and paradigms (highest leverage)
Intervention Brainstorming (15 minutes):
Individual Reflection: Where could small changes create big improvements?
Team Discussion: Categorize interventions by leverage level
Strategic Focus: Identify 2-3 highest leverage opportunities
Reality Check: Assess difficulty and organizational readiness

Steps 10-12: Implementation and Learning (45 minutes)

Using the Infographic: Final three boxes and iteration arrow

Educational Content Development (15 minutes): Practical Exercise: "Making It Stick" - Team Challenge: Create 3 discussion questions about their CLD - Share and Refine: Teams exchange questions and improve them - Application: How will you use this CLD to teach your own teams?

Documentation Planning (15 minutes): Business Application Focus: - Template Introduction: Provide CLD documentation template - Key Components: - Problem statement and assumptions - Evidence supporting causal relationships - Intervention recommendations - Success metrics and monitoring plan - Individual Planning: Each participant outlines documentation approach

Iteration and Continuous Learning (15 minutes): Implementation Strategy Session: - Action Planning: "What's your first application back at work?" - Monitoring Approach: "How will you test your CLD's predictions?" - Learning Network: "Who else in your organization should learn this approach?" - Follow-up Commitment: Schedule 30-day check-in for experiences and refinements

Closing Session: Integration and Next Steps (30 minutes)

Gallery Walk and Peer Learning (15 minutes)

Using All Infographic Elements: Teams present their completed CLDs

Structured Presentations: - 2 minutes per team: Problem, key loops, and top leverage point - Peer Feedback: What insights could transfer to other business contexts? - Pattern Recognition: What common themes emerge across different CLDs?

Workshop Synthesis and Commitment (15 minutes)

Reflection Questions: 1. "What's one insight that will change how you approach business problems?" 2. "Which of the 12 steps will be most challenging to implement? Why?" 3. "What support do you need to apply this in your organization?"

Commitment and Accountability: - Individual Commitment: Each participant states one specific application - Peer Partnership: Exchange contact information for mutual support - 30-60-90 Day Plan: Outline progressive application goals

Using the Interactive Infographic Throughout

During Instruction

Visual Reference: Keep infographic displayed as constant reference
Step Navigation: Click on specific steps when teaching each concept
Hover Demonstrations: Use description boxes to reinforce key points
Progress Tracking: Highlight completed steps as workshop advances

During Exercises

Self-Guided Learning: Participants can reference infographic independently
Quality Assurance: Teams can check their work against step descriptions
Troubleshooting: When teams get stuck, direct them to relevant step descriptions
Peer Teaching: Participants can use infographic to help each other

For Follow-Up

Digital Resource: Participants can access infographic after workshop
Team Training: Managers can use infographic to teach their own teams
Reference Tool: Quick refresh on process steps during real applications

Assessment and Evaluation

During Workshop

Formative Assessment Techniques: - Gallery Walks: Observe CLD quality and peer feedback - Question Quality: Assess understanding through participant questions - Application Examples: Listen for relevant business connections - Peer Teaching Moments: Note when participants help each other

Post-Workshop Evaluation

Immediate Feedback (End of workshop): - Process Effectiveness: Which steps were most/least clear? - Relevance Assessment: How applicable is this to your business challenges? - Confidence Level: Rate comfort with facilitating CLD creation - Resource Needs: What additional support would be helpful?

Follow-Up Assessment (30 days): - Application Success: What CLDs have you created since the workshop? - Business Impact: What insights or decisions resulted from CLD analysis? - Teaching Transfer: Have you shared this approach with your team? - Process Improvements: What would you modify in the 12-step process?

Facilitator Tips for Success

Managing the Infographic Tool

Technical Setup: Test all hover interactions and links beforehand
Backup Plan: Have printed copies of step descriptions available
Engagement Strategy: Encourage participants to interact with infographic directly
Troubleshooting: Prepare for potential technical issues with alternative delivery

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Participants want to jump to solutions immediately Solution: Use Step 1-3 discipline strictly; reference infographic's sequential flow

Challenge: Teams struggle to identify feedback loops Solution: Use infographic's Step 4 description; provide guided tracing exercises

Challenge: CLDs become overly complex Solution: Reference Step 2's guidance on variable limits; encourage simplification

Challenge: Participants question time investment in documentation Solution: Emphasize Step 11's business value; share examples of documentation payoffs

Cultural Adaptation Strategies

Risk-Averse Organizations: Emphasize validation steps (8-9) and gradual implementation
Action-Oriented Cultures: Show how CLDs prevent costly trial-and-error approaches
Hierarchical Structures: Focus on how CLDs support better briefings to senior leadership
Innovation-Focused Teams: Highlight creative problem-solving and breakthrough insights

Post-Workshop Resources

Immediate Follow-Up (Within 1 week)

Digital Package: Send infographic link, templates, and additional reading
Peer Network: Share participant contact list (with permission)
Quick Reference: One-page CLD creation checklist
Video Recap: 10-minute summary of key workshop insights

Ongoing Support (30-90 days)

Monthly Check-In: Optional group video call to share applications and challenges
Case Study Library: Growing collection of participant-created CLDs
Advanced Workshops: Specialized sessions on specific archetypes or industries
Coaching Support: Individual consultation for complex business applications

Measuring Long-Term Impact

Organizational Indicators

Decision Quality: Are participants making more systemically-informed choices?
Problem-Solving Approach: Shift from reactive fixes to proactive system design
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Improved understanding of departmental interdependencies
Innovation Capacity: Enhanced ability to identify root causes and leverage points

Business Results

Reduced Problem Recurrence: Fewer "whack-a-mole" cycles in recurring issues
Strategic Clarity: Better long-term planning through systems understanding
Change Management: More successful organizational transformation initiatives
Learning Organization: Increased capability for adaptive management

This comprehensive lesson plan transforms the interactive infographic from a simple reference tool into a powerful teaching instrument that guides business managers through experiential learning of systems thinking principles. The structured approach ensures both conceptual understanding and practical application capability.