Definition
Systems thinking is an approach to problem-solving and analysis that focuses on understanding how parts of a whole interact with each other to produce overall outcomes in complex systems. It emphasises looking at the bigger picture, identifying interconnections, and recognizing patterns of behaviour over time rather than focusing on isolated events or parts.
Example
Climate Change
Instead of focusing solely on reducing carbon emissions, a systems thinking approach considers the interconnected factors such as energy production, economic systems, consumer behaviour, political policies, and ecological impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports often reflect this systems approach by considering multiple interacting factors and feedback loops in their climate models and policy recommendations.
Ask yourself
- What are the key components of this system?
- How do these components interact with each other?
- What are the system’s boundaries, and what lies outside them?
- How does a change in one part of the system affect other parts?
- Who or what does this system serve, and why might they not want it to change?
Tools
- Causal Loop Diagrams: Visual tools that map the causal relationships between system variables.
- Stock and Flow Diagrams: Used to model the accumulation and depletion of resources within a system.
- System Dynamics Modeling: Computer simulation technique for modelling complex systems over time.
- Scenario Planning: Used to explore how different system interventions might play out over time.
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