Systems Thinking Cycle
Michael Collins
vCISO | Chief Systems Thinker | Board & Startup Advisory | Independent Director
Systems Thinking Cycle ??
Some people mistakenly believe that Systems Thinking is a complex scientific subject that is too difficult to grasp for mere mortals. I certainly did for a long time.
Systems thinking helps us understand the complex world in which we live, and learning and applying it isn't difficult once you know how.
Let me use a simple example to show how it's simply a matter of thinking about how you're thinking, and applying 4 simple rules (DSRP).
I'll place the DSRP letters in the example to show you how I thought about events as they unfolded. I chose to keep it simple, and in fact they can often apply simultaneously in the same situations. If you identify other areas where they would apply then congratulations you're becoming a systems thinker!!
So, this morning {D} I made a commitment to get up early and go for a bike ride instead of my usual walk {D}, the weather this time of year is cool in the morning {D} and leaving outdoor exercise later in the day means it is often too hot {P}, plus I'm a morning person so it suits me better {P}. I hadn't cycled in months and so I chose a familiar route that consisted of both roads and shared paths {S}. Early morning means you encounter less traffic on the road {P} but, more people out walking dogs {D}, or in groups {S} on the shared tracks which weave through the natural bushland {S}.
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As suspected I didn't encounter much traffic {P} so I could ride quite freely {R} and had the road to myself. But as I came to the entrance to the shared path a man with his dog was coming out of the narrow exit, and he appeared slightly startled by my approach, pulling back on the dog's lead sharply {R}. I suspect, thinking that I was crossing their path {P}. I recognised this and slowed {R}, signalling a left turn to show I was not crossing his path, to which he acknowledged and thanked me {R}.
As I build up speed along the flat bush track {R} I saw a lady with her dog coming towards me on the opposite side of the track {D}, plenty of room to pass them I thought {P}. She was still about 15 metres in front of me when she yelled pointedly, "I can HEAR a bike coming!". She put her hand up to her forehead and pulled down her sunglasses then said, "It's OK, I can SEE you now!", with an equal measure of annoyance {R}. Yikes, I thought, I had committed the cardinal sin and forgotten to signal with my bell that I was coming, assuming she had good sight of me {P}. But in fact the rising sun was at my back, and so directly in her eyes, and she could only hear but not see me {P}. I got a response that I wasn't expecting, and it quickly brought me back to the rules of cycling on shared paths that I had forgotten about {R}, which is signal when passing or approaching walkers.
Another 50 metres on and I saw a group of ladies walking towards me, however this time I rang my bell early to signal my approach and received a rousing cheer from the group, "Good morning, great day to be out!" {R}. The message to me was loud and clear {P}.
So, in this example I was operating in a complex adaptive system, which was a number of things (peoples, dogs, cyclists, cars, roads, paths, etc..) going about their own business, co-existing together with their own behaviours, but inter-related in some way. Knowing how to operate in the system and improve the outcomes for me (having an enjoyable ride) and others (not getting scared or annoyed by cyclists), meant remembering to apply the simple rule of "signalling to others that you're approaching" to avoid getting a negative reaction.
Thinking about how you're thinking and applying DSRP helps you understand better the mental models you have and how accurately they reflect the reality in which you live.
Michael Collins