Iceberg Model

Analyze problems at four levels of depth — Events, Patterns, Structures, and Mental Models — to move from reactive fixes to systemic change.

Steps

1. Events (what happened?) — Describe the visible event or symptom you are reacting to.
2. Patterns (what trends recur?) — Look for repeated occurrences over time. Is this a one-off or part of a trend?
3. Structures (what causes the patterns?) — Identify the systems, processes, incentives, or organizational structures that produce the patterns.
4. Mental Models (what beliefs drive the structures?) — Surface the assumptions, values, or beliefs that sustain the current structures.
5. Choose your intervention level — Decide where to act: reacting to events is fast but shallow; changing mental models is slow but transformative.

Output Format

A four-layer diagram or table with rows for Events, Patterns, Structures, and Mental Models. Each row contains findings and evidence. Include a recommended intervention level with rationale.