This article deals with the creation of a compact thermal model. In this aim, we apply some well-known methods such as FEM model reduction and identification of RC networks. To go further than already existing approaches, we also introduce the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to cope with nonlinearities which may appear in thermal phenomenons. A new hybrid model, trying to gather the advantages of ANNs and RC networks, is applied on a simple thermal problem. The need of samples will also lead us to carry out, in parallel, the FEM model reduction. The reduced FEM model will then be used to generate the required databases and validate the compact model results.