The Systemic Canvas: A Map and Navigator for Complexity

In today's fast-paced and complex business world, we need tools that allow us to make informed decisions and move confidently towards the future. The Systemic Canvas is that tool: it functions as a map that shows us the complete terrain of our organization and its environment, and as a navigator that guides us through complexity.

What is the Systemic Canvas?

The Systemic Canvas is a framework that I've designed to broaden our perspective and gain the clarity needed to make strategic decisions. Unlike traditional approaches that can lead to over-analysis or quick but superficial solutions, the Systemic Canvas balances a broad vision with focused action.

How the Systemic Canvas works:

1. Mapping of Context and Environment: It visualizes all relevant factors, from stakeholders to global trends affecting your organization. This complete mapping ensures we don't overlook critical elements and provides a comprehensive understanding of the business ecosystem.

2. Scenario Exploration: Like a modern navigator, the Systemic Canvas allows simulation of different routes and scenarios, facilitating innovation and strategic planning.

3. Analysis of Processes and Dynamics: The Systemic Canvas acts as a historical map, examining your organization's history and projecting its future trajectory. What makes this approach unique is its ability to reveal underlying dynamics or operating patterns of the team or organization. It recognizes that in every system there's an unconscious part, the "undercurrent", that governs the visible and conscious part. By unveiling these ordering forces, we can adjust our strategies to face new challenges more effectively.

4. Review of Internal Structure: This is where the Systemic Canvas delves into the "organizing principle", the underlying logic that determines how your organization is structured and operates. This analysis is based on three fundamental systemic principles:

?? Belonging: it clarifies which elements are essential for the system and which no longer contribute to the organization's renewed purpose

?? Order: it ensures that each component of the system is in its optimal place, maximizing its contribution and establishing clear priorities for decision-making.

?? Exchange: it seeks balance in all organizational flows, from tangible compensation to intangible aspects such as recognition and communication.

These principles not only optimize the internal structure but also align the organization with its purpose and changing environment.

??Balance between Broad Vision and Focus: it provides leaders with a panoramic view of the system so they can then focus on critical areas for precise and timely action.

Benefits of the Systemic Canvas:

? Promotion of Resilience: Prepares the organization to adapt nimbly to changes.

? Fostering Continuous Learning: Cultivates a culture of openness and innovation.

? Effective Management of Complexity: Synthesizes complex information without excessive simplification.

? Improved Communication: Facilitates the transmission of complex ideas in a clear and visual manner.

? Revelation of Hidden Dynamics: Allows for deeper and more effective organizational adjustments.

? Creation of a Strategic Dialogue Space: Fosters structured collective reflection that promotes internal alignment, consensus, and collective and shared intelligence throughout the organization.

A practical Application:

Let's take as an example a technology company facing disruptions in its market. Using the Systemic Canvas, the management team could:

???? Map the context: it identifies new competitors, changes in consumer preferences, and emerging technological advances.

???? Explore scenarios: it model different pivot strategies, such as entering new markets or developing complementary technologies.

???? Analyze dynamics: it reveals internal innovation patterns that have been successful in the past but could be hindering adaptation to new market realities.

???? Review the internal structure:

?? Belonging: It determines which job profiles are crucial for the future and which might need to be incorporated or left behind.

?? Order: it Reorganizes teams based on new innovation criteria to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and establish new product development priorities.

?? Exchange: it implements new remuneration and recognition systems that reward adaptability and talent innovation.

???? Balance between Broad Vision and Focus: it provides leaders with a panoramic view of the system so they can then focus on critical areas for precise and timely action.

By using the Systemic Canvas, the company would not only respond to visible market changes but also address the underlying internal dynamics that could be hindering its ability to adapt. This would result in a more robust and sustainable strategy that aligns all aspects of the organization with new market challenges.

Conclusion:

The Systemic Canvas is much more than an analysis tool; it's a comprehensive navigator for today's complex organizational ecosystem. By revealing both visible and hidden dynamics, it allows organizations not only to adapt but to thrive in environments of constant change.

With the Systemic Canvas, companies can transform complexity into a strategic advantage, creating innovative and sustainable organizations that are truly aligned with their purpose and environment.