Introduction to Systems Thinking

Definition/Purpose of Systems Thinking

Systems thinking is a discipline of inquiry that examines issues or problems by uncovering patterns of relationships, interactions, and inter-dependencies. Thus, it inquires into systems versus pieces of information.

What Systems Thinking Is/Is NOT

ISAn inquiry of the web of relationships within a system.

•Synthesis

•Exploring the landscape of the problem

•Beyond scientific method

•A type of ecology

•Long-term solutions

IS NOT

Discrete problem solving

Analysis only

Jumping immediately to solutions

Scientific Method only

Laboratory

“Band-aid” solutions

Brief History of Systems Thinking

1950 - Ludwig von Bertalanffy wrote a paper entitled General Systems Theory. In this paper, he discussed the possibility that there are common threads through all living systems.

1954 - At the Center for Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, four scientists from different fields were contemplating how to bring their fields of science together into a more unified method of solving human problems.

As a result of their collaboration they established the Society for the Advancement of General Systems Theory, which was the genesis of the field of “systems thinking”.

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

1. Allows us to find lasting solutions by looking at a problem “in motion” and in “nature”. Brings the natural system into dealing with the issue.

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

2. Finds interconnectedness in unlikely places and creates new connections that deal with issues creatively.

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

3. Helps us to become aware of deeply ingrained mental models so that we can challenge these mental models and create new paradigms.

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

4. Helps us to find leverage points so that “smaller” actions can have “bigger” results. (Also representative of the concept of interconnectedness.)

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

5. Helps us to track and predict organizational systems behavior by comparing “like” systems.

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

6. Allows us to focus on larger wholes, rather than the smaller individual parts – offering an alternate paradigm.

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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What Does Systems Thinking Do?

7. Allows us to go beyond our accepted boundaries and find solutions from a broader (cosmic) perspective .

Practical Systems ThinkingCopyright © 2006 Julie Petrella

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Senge’s Iceberg Model(used for uncovering mental models)

Diagram adapted from The Fifth Disciplineby Peter Senge