System Thinking before System Design

With Solution Neutral Approach

System thinking can be thought of a language, As a language it is specific way of viewing the world, it affect thoughts and thoughts in turn affects how we look at the world - Michael R Goodman

The increasing complexity of modern systems, especially in engineering, sometime underscores the importance of "System Thinkers". While the fact is, those individuals who possess a holistic understanding of the interconnected components and processes within a system can navigate any complexities effectively.

It's essential to learn, our understanding progresses through distinct stages

Reactive => Adaptive => Creative => Generative

i.e. reacting to challenges, to adapting to dynamic environments, to fostering creativity in problem-solving, and ultimately to generating innovative solutions proactively

The Solution-Neutral Approach

A solution-neutral approach in system thinking means delaying the selection to any particular alternatives (technology, platform, language or method) until a thorough understanding of the overall system's requirements and constraints is achieved.

Needs → Solution-Neutral Function → Concept → Architecture

For example, Take a Scenario, when you are going to buy a new car for yourself, Now with solution neutral approach, Take a step back for the said decision:-

Problem Identification:-
  Requirement: Transportation for office commute

Solution Exploration:-
  Public Transport: Buses, Trains, Taxis
  Private Transport: Car Pooling, Personal Vehicle (Car)

Attributes Evaluation:-
  Options Availability: Evaluate the availability of each   transportation option in your area.

  Commutation Time: Consider the time it takes to commute using each option

  Usage Frequency: Assess how often you need to commute and the flexibility required

  Cost Incurrence: Compare the costs associated with each option, including fares, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and parking        

=> Hence here by applying a solution-neutral approach, one can make a well-informed decision that is aligned with specific needs while considering all available options and their attributes. This ensures that you choose the most effective solution and remove yourself being biased towards a particular choice

In the platform engineering world, the rapid emergence of new tools presents both opportunities and challenges. Here's how system thinkers should approach this dynamic environment

1. Identify Real Needs: System thinkers will deep dive into understanding of underlying problems and requirements before jumping to solutions. They distinguish between tools that genuinely address new challenges and those that merely reinvent existing solutions without significant value addition.
2. Evaluate Effectiveness: System thinkers adopt a critical mindset, identify attributes such as scalability, performance, security, ease of integration, and community support to determine whether a tool is fit for their specific use case and environment.
3. Avoid Over-Engineering: With tons of tools available, there's a risk of over-engineering solutions by incorporating unnecessary complexity. System thinkers prioritise simplicity opting for tools that offer the right balance of features and usability without introducing undue complexity.
4. Encourage Innovation: While being concern about new tools, system thinkers also embrace innovation and experimentation. They recognise that some of the most groundbreaking advancements come from unconventional tools or approaches and are open to exploring new ideas that have the potential to drive significant improvements.
5. Engage with Community: Engaging with broader community of practitioners and experts is integral to the approach of system thinkers. They actively participate in forums, conferences, and user groups to exchange ideas, share insights, and learn from each others' experiences, helping them stay informed about the latest tools and best practices.

References :

https://systemarchitect.mit.edu/docs/menshenin21a.pdf

https://thesystemsthinker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Systems-Thinking-Tools-TRST01E.pdf