Empowering Future Change-Makers: A Course on Systemic Design for Complex Change Initiatives

Systemic Design for Students Global Project and Change Management: A One-Year Course for Future Change Makers

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in Zwolle, the Netherlands, is a pioneer in shaping the change makers of tomorrow through its educational programmes. Among these the price winning Honours Programme - Global Project and Change Management (GPCM), which equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and lead in today’s ever-evolving, complex world. In an era defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity - a VUCA world - the need for new approaches to project and change management has never been more urgent. This is especially true for students tasked with addressing global challenges in areas such as urban development, energy transition, and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A VUCA World Needs New Approaches to Project Management

The traditional approaches of project management often struggle to cope with the complexities of today’s world. Students and future professionals must be equipped with new approaches and tools that go beyond linear, predictable outcomes and embrace the systemic nature of global challenges. The Global Project and Change Management honours programme at Windesheim addresses this need by offering a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students to work on complex, real-world projects over the course of four years.

These projects - spanning urban development, small-scale SDG initiatives, energy transitions, and future planning - require a unique approach. Students must not only understand the technical aspects of these challenges but also engage with them in an integrated, holistic way. This is where systemic design comes in as an approach for co-creating sustainable solutions together with their clients and stakeholders.

Systemic Design as the New Approach

Systemic design, which blends systems thinking and design principles, is the backbone of the dedicated course Change Management in Complex Contexts and Transitions (CMCCT) . By applying this methodology, students learn to view problems not as isolated issues, but as interconnected systems of social, environmental, and economic factors. This holistic approach enables them to design interventions that address root causes and create long-term impact.

The Systemic Design concept, created by a global community of practitioners and researchers, served as a cornerstone of inspiration for this course. Systemic Design emphasises the importance of mapping complex systems, pinpointing leverage points for change, and crafting integrated, scalable, and adaptable solutions. Especially, the Symbiosis in Development (SiD) approach, developed by Except, complements this idea by providing a comprehensive approach, process and tools for understanding the interdependencies between social, ecological, and economic systems.

Symbiosis in Development: A Powerful Framework for Change

The SiD approach, brought to Windesheim by Tom Bosschaert, founder of Except, is a key approach in this new course. SiD promotes the idea of symbiosis - a mutually beneficial relationship between different systems and stakeholders - making it ideal for addressing the interconnected challenges of global change. Through this approach, students are encouraged to design solutions that integrate multiple perspectives, balancing the needs of society, the environment, and the economy.

Tom Boschaert’s involvement in the programme has been invaluable. He was not only helpful in introducing the SiD approach. Tom also inspired students through a series of sessions, giving them deeper insight into the approach and motivating them to think critically and creatively. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping the course and its emphasis on practical, real-world applications.

A Year of Exploration, Preparation, and Real-Life Impact

The course is designed to give students ample time to explore, prepare, and implement solutions in real-life environments. Over the span of a full year, students collaborate with local and international clients and stakeholders to work on projects that make an impact. By the end of the course, they will have gained hands-on experience, building a deep understanding of how to navigate the complexities of social change and project management.

This year-long structure reflects feedback from previous cohorts, who consistently rated the programme highly but expressed a desire for more time to dive deeper into their projects. As a result, the programme has been extended from one to two semesters, ensuring students have the necessary time to refine their ideas and implements some of their ideas and solutions.

Looking at the system systematically and going through the same problem in cycles helps understanding the project and coming up with the best solution. Reinis Gils, GPCM student.?

High Satisfaction and Positive Outcomes

The programme’s success speaks for itself. Students have rated the course very well, citing the combination of practical skills, cutting-edge tools, and the real-world applicability of the projects as key strengths. The extended timeframe allows students to not only deepen their understanding but also enhance their confidence in handling complex, multi-dimensional challenges.

Moreover, graduates of the programme are well-prepared to step into the workforce as change-makers and leaders in project and change management. The systemic design approach equips them with the skills and mindset necessary to tackle the challenges of a fast changing world, making them valuable change makers to future employers and organisations focused on making a sustainable impact.

Understanding complex systems and bringing certainty in uncertainty. Leonie Hartung, GPCM student.

Looking to the Future

This marks the third year of using the Symbiosis in Development (SiD) approach in Windesheim’s GPCM programme, and the results have been nothing short of inspiring. The programme, designed by lecturers Agnes Camacho MA and Rik Berbé MSc, who also mentor students throughout this innovative learning journey, continues to evolve by integrating new ideas, techniques, and perspectives.

By adopting systemic design and leveraging frameworks like SiD, Windesheim is helping students become the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow, equipped to navigate and solve the complex, interconnected challenges of the VUCA world. Whether tackling urban challenges, advancing the energy transition, or working on SDG-related initiatives, the GPCM programme ensures that students are not just prepared for their future careers - they are ready to shape the future itself.

If you have any ideas or feedback on the article, feel free to share them here in the comments or send me a DM. Let’s collaborate and co-create!

Rik Berbé, lecturer and researcher Windesheim UAS.

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