CLD-Explorer: Toward a Tool for Causal Loop Diagrams Analytics

Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) document and visualize the dynamics of complex systems, describing their relevant factors, called variables, and causal relationships between them. The most interesting features for exploring CLDs are causal loops, i.e., circuits of causal relationships, which can be characterized as balancing or reinforcing; other interesting features of CLDs are causal routes, i.e., chains of relationships connecting any two pairs of nodes, recognized as increasing or decreasing. We hereby introduce CLD-Explorer, a prototype interactive system for inputting new CLD diagrams and analysing their features, reviewing their causal loops and routes. The system supports simple interfaces for systematically extracting and exploring loops and routes, which can be used by systemic designers in identifying the ”areas of intervention” within a complex system, empowering organized reasoning on CLDs and improving the related decision-making processes. Tool URL: http://gmql.eu/cld-explorer.