How do you use systems thinking to make decisions?

1 What is systems thinking?

Systems thinking is a way of thinking that focuses on the relationships and patterns among the elements of a system, rather than the individual parts. A system is a set of interconnected and interdependent components that function as a whole and produce outcomes that are different from the sum of their parts. For example, a team is a system that consists of people, roles, tasks, goals, resources, and interactions. Systems thinking helps you to see the big picture, identify the root causes of problems, and anticipate the consequences of your actions.

2 Why is systems thinking important?

Systems thinking is important because it helps you to deal with complex and dynamic situations that require more than linear and reductionist thinking. Linear thinking assumes that there is a simple cause-and-effect relationship between variables, and that you can isolate and solve problems by breaking them down into smaller pieces. Reductionist thinking assumes that you can understand a system by studying its parts separately, and that you can optimize the performance of a system by improving its parts individually. However, these approaches often fail to capture the feedback loops, delays, non-linearities, and emergent properties that characterize complex systems. Systems thinking enables you to recognize and manage these aspects of systems, and to avoid unintended and undesirable outcomes.

3 How do you use systems thinking to make decisions?

Using systems thinking to make decisions involves a systematic process with four steps: defining the system, mapping the system, analyzing the system, and designing interventions. To define the system, you need to clarify its purpose, scope, and boundaries, as well as identify its elements, stakeholders, goals, and perspectives. Mapping the system involves creating a visual representation of how its elements are connected and interact. You can use different tools and methods for this step, such as causal loop diagrams or stock and flow diagrams. Analyzing the system involves exploring its behavior and dynamics over time to understand how they affect the problem or opportunity you are trying to solve. You can use various techniques for this step such as simulation models or systems thinking games. Finally, designing interventions involves developing and evaluating possible solutions or actions that can improve the performance or situation of the system. It is important to consider the short-term and long-term effects of your interventions, as well as their feasibility and acceptability. Additionally, you should monitor and evaluate the results of your interventions and adjust them accordingly.

4 What are the benefits of using systems thinking to make decisions?

Systems thinking can bring many benefits when making decisions, such as improving critical thinking and creativity skills, enhancing communication and collaboration skills, increasing effectiveness and efficiency, reducing risks and costs, and creating more value and impact. It can do this by challenging mental models and assumptions to generate new insights and perspectives, engaging with diverse stakeholders and perspectives to foster a shared understanding and vision, addressing root causes of problems to find leverage points and synergies that can create positive change, avoiding unintended consequences to minimize waste and rework, and aligning actions with goals and values to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the system.

5 What are the challenges of using systems thinking to make decisions?

Using systems thinking to make decisions can also pose some challenges, such as dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity by learning and taking feedback, managing complexity and diversity by balancing factors and perspectives, overcoming resistance and inertia by addressing mental and emotional barriers, and implementing and sustaining change by designing realistic interventions. All of these steps are necessary to ensure alignment and coordination among stakeholders.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?