Kiertokaavio

Kiertokaavio is a diagrammatic method used to represent systems in which elements influence each other in cyclical relationships. In a kiertokaavio, components or states are shown as nodes, connected by directed arrows that indicate the flow of material, energy, or information. The diagram emphasizes feedback mechanisms within the system, distinguishing between reinforcing (positive) loops that amplify changes and balancing (negative) loops that tend to stabilize the system.

Kiertokaaviot are applied across a range of disciplines, including engineering, systems thinking, process analysis, and education. They are suitable for illustrating cyclic processes such as control loops, energy or material flows, production cycles, ecological or biological cycles, and organizational workflows. Diagrams can be simple, with a few elements, or complex, containing multiple interlinked loops. They are often accompanied by annotations that specify units, rates, or conditions and may be integrated with other diagram types like block diagrams or stock-and-flow representations.

The value of a kiertokaavio lies in clarifying dynamic behavior, identifying feedback pathways, and aiding communication among stakeholders. They support problem diagnosis, scenario analysis, and the design of interventions to alter system performance. Limitations include potential visual clutter in large systems and the need for careful labeling to avoid ambiguities about loop causality and direction. See also concepts such as feedback loops, control theory, and causal loop diagrams in related contexts.