Introduction

Having recently finished two books by Dr Mike C Jackson OBE on Critical Systems Thinking, I thought I would share some reflections on both books. I am no expert on systems thinking or complexity science, so I read them to improve my understanding of the field. The TL;DR summary is that I found both books provide a good overview of the subject. The first is more in-depth and focused on the background, theories and different methodologies. The second is more practical, with the focus on application.

Critical Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity

Jackson’s first book on this topic ‘Critical Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity’ was issued in 2019. At 736 pages, it’s pretty comprehensive and well written. For those not familiar with the complexity science and systems thinking (that’s me), the different schools and approaches can be daunting, and Jackson does a great job explaining these. There book is organised into four parts that break the topic into understandable parts.

1?? Background, covering origins, history and different approaches to complexity science. I found learning about the background and philosophical approach very helpful. This is a pretty accessible introduction to Critical Systems Thinking.

2?? Systems Sciences (incl. General Systems Theory, Cybernetics and Complexity Theory). This provides the background to some of the more well known elements of chaos theory and complexity science, including the Butterfly Effect. Again, pretty accesable.

3?? Systems Practice i.e. how Snowden Cynefin Framework categorises the different approaches. The separate chapters on the different methodologies for the different fields of complexity science i.e. Technical, Process and Structural, Operational, People and Coercive complexity are very useful. These cover methodologies such as Cynefin, System Dynamics, the Vanguard Method and Socio-Technical Systems thinking. In essence, this section provides a useful overview and critique of the best-known systems methodologies.

4?? The final elements covers Critical Systems Thinking, particularly application and practice. The latter is covered in more detail in the second book, discussed below.

The book provides an excellent guide and introduction to systems thinking. It’s probably best read as a reference source, I found that the book made the subject understandable. Lots of case studies. There are many different approaches to complexity and Jackson’s strength is explaining each methodology and where it has/is applied.. As the old adage states, ‘Right Tool for the Right Job, used the Right Way, and hence to be successful, one must become good at assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

Summary

The book is comprehensive on the history and theory, and hence long. It was a lot more practical than I had expected. If I had a complaint, it was that the book did not provide sufficient explanation of the theories of complexity. For example, concepts such as Holism, Nonlinearity, Adaptation and Emergence are central to understanding complexity theory, but (to my reading) were not explored in depth. This is doubltess becuase the focus is on Systems Thinking not Complexity Science. I found the book useful and a good overview to those new to this field.

Critical Systems Thinking: A Practitioner's Guide

Released earlier this year, the book picks-up on the final chapter in the first book, focusing on application. At 232 pages, its more concise that the first and the focus on application is useful. As a student of pragmatism and with an interest in metaphor on meaning-making, I was pleasantly surprised to read sections exploring Peirce, James and Dewey, along with Lakoff and Johnson. Concepts such as Emergence, Holicism and ‘soft’ vs. ‘hard’ approaches to critical systems thinking are also explored. Given the frequency and impact of complex failure, the focus on systems leadership is useful, particularly the attributes, mindset, and overview of what different systems methodologies can achieve. There are plenty of cases studies, with many references to Covid.

The book is organised in three parts:

1?? The emergence of critical systems thinking revisits some of the topics explored in Jackson’s first book, but more concise. The discussion on the Scientific Method is particularly interesting. I found the overview of Systems Thinking, a concise and easy read.

2?? This section is dedicated to Critical Systems Practice, particularly the E.P.I.C. framework. This stands for

1.?? Explore the Situation of Interest

2.?? Produce an Intervention Strategy

3.?? Intervene Flexibly

4.?? Check on Progress

3?? Towards a Systems Thinking World. This focuses on what is systemic leadership (mindsets, problem solving, cognitive diversity, etc.) and how to overcome the implementation barriers. Only 20 pages, but one of the standout sections for me. Very relatable.

Summary

As the tittle suggest, this is for practitioners and as such I found the book a useful guide. It help explains critical systems practice, using a variety of systems approaches to address wicked problems and multi-dimensional complexity.

References:

?? ‘Critical Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity’ by Michael Jackson. Published by Wiley 2019

?? ‘Critical Systems Thinking: A Practitioner's Guide’ by Michael Jackson. Published by Wiley 2024