• Worldbuilding Course
  • Worldbuilding Toolbox
  • World Entry Page
  • World gallery
  • Worldbuilding Course
  • Worldbuilding Toolbox
  • World Entry Page
  • World gallery
  • Worldbuilding Course
  • Worldbuilding Toolbox
  • World Entry Page
  • World gallery
  • Worldbuilding Course
  • Worldbuilding Toolbox
  • World Entry Page
  • World gallery
X-twitter Bookmark

TOOLBOX

Modeling & Forecasting

Want to bring more structure or quantification into your worldbuilding? This section collects tools and frameworks for scenario modeling, forecasting, and stress-testing. Includes causal mapping, probability estimation, systems thinking, and other structured methods. Use these to clarify assumptions, explore cause-effect dynamics, and stress-test possible futures.

Challenges to Explore

Solution Approaches

Worldbuilding Tools

Core Concepts & Vocabulary

Modeling & Forecasting

Foresight Projects & Experts

Taking Action

Recommended Readings

Governance models

Course Worksheet

Scenario Modeling

Structured methods for building detailed, branching futures.

Tool/Method

Description
Use Case

Causal Loop Diagrams

Visual representations of cause-effect relationships in a system.
Understand feedback loops and system behaviors over time.

Cross-Impact Analysis

Assesses how different drivers influence each other.

Map how one scenario variable affects others (e.g. how AGI affects geopolitics).

Morphological Analysis

Explores all possible combinations of key future-shaping variables.

Identify scenario archetypes systematically.

System Dynamics Models

Uses feedback loops and time delays to simulate real-world systems.

Model population, resource use, policy effects, etc.

Futures Wheels

Visual representations of cause-effect relationships in a system.

Explore ripple effects of developments like bio-enhancement or AI regulation.

Forecasting & Probabilistic Thinking

Tools for estimating the likelihood of future events.

Tool/Method

Description
Use Case

Metaculus

A crowd-forecasting platform where users predict future events.

Track community predictions on AI timelines, geopolitics, etc.

Forecasting Research Institute

Runs structured forecasting tournaments and research projects.

Get calibrated insight into hard-to-predict questions.

Quantified Intuition

Training and tools for intuitive probability estimation.

Identify scenario archetypes systematically.

Superforecasting (Good Judgment Open)

Uses elite forecasters to estimate future developments.

Understand where expert consensus is converging.

Elicit

Uses language models to assist human forecasters in decomposing questions.

Boost forecasting productivity and reduce overconfidence.

Stress Testing & Robustness Checks

Tools for challenging your worldbuilding assumptions and designs.

Tool/Method

Description
Use Case

Red Teaming

Intentionally stress-test a scenario or plan by looking for failure points.

Avoid blind spots or internal inconsistencies.

Wind Tunneling

Test how a policy or scenario holds up under different possible futures.

Check how resilient a proposal is to external shocks.

Devil’s Advocate Walkthrough

A structured session where someone argues against your scenario or strategy.

Sharpen your reasoning and address weak links.

Layered Uncertainty Frameworks

Map different levels of uncertainty (knowns, unknowns, unknowables).

Clarify what is stable vs. speculative in your scenario.

Useful Tools & Platforms

Platforms and software that support modeling or structured thinking.

Tool

Description

Kumu

Visual mapping tool for systems, stakeholders, and causal loops.

Vensim

Software for system dynamics and scenario simulation.

Loopy

An intuitive system dynamics modeling tool for beginners.

Elicit

Language-model-assisted forecasting decompositions.

Metaculus

Open platform for forecasting hard questions.

Good Judgment Open

Public forecasting tournaments.