Systems Thinking

Question 1

What is a system

Answer 1

• A perceived whole whose elements “hang together”
because they continually affect each other overtime
–Biological organisms, the atmosphere,
organizations, families, ecological niches…
• Parts are generally systems themselves and are
composed of other parts

Question 2

emergence

Answer 2

– “The whole is more than the sum of the parts” (Aristotle)

Question 3

Why do we need to do systems analysis?

Answer 3

• Our mental models are limited, internally inconsistent, and unreliable.
• Our ability to understand the unfolding impacts of our decisions is poor.
• We take actions that make sense from our short-term and parochial perspectives, but due to our imperfect appreciation of complexity, these decisions often return to hurt us in the long run.

Question 4

if prototypical problem solving is linear, then systems are _______

Answer 4

circular

Question 5

causal links in systems

Answer 5

There are two kinds of causal links, positive

and negative.

Question 6

positive causal links

Answer 6

(marked as “+” or “s” for “same”):

the two nodes move in the same direction.

When one node goes up, the other goes up too

Question 7

negative causal links

Answer 7

(marked as “-” or “o” for “opposite”):

the two nodes move in the opposite direction.

When one node goes up the other goes down

Question 8

loops

Answer 8

A closed circular set of links create a loop
• There are 2 types of loops
– Reinforcing loops
– Balancing loops

Question 9

what do reinforcing loops do

Answer 9

-generate unnecessary growth

Question 10

what do balancing loops do

Answer 10

generate forces of resistance
• Maintain stability and lead to equilibrium
• Keep systems ”where they ought to be”

Question 11

How can you determine if a causal loop is reinforcing or balancing?

Answer 11

-look at the causal links

• Reinforcing loops have an even number of negative links (or 0) and balancing loops an uneven number

Question 12

describe delays in systems

Answer 12

• Typically occur in both reinforcing and balancing loops
• Delays are often taken for granted and underestimated
– Reinforcing loops – because things don’t change as fast as
we want
– In balancing loops – delays lead to surprises collapse

Question 13

what is a fundamental solution?

Answer 13

• a solution that addresses potential unintended consequences
• solves root of the issue, not the symptom

Question 14

Why is changing systems challenging?

Answer 14

•Not easily planned or predicted
• Opportunities often emerge in “unrelated” domains
• Systems can flip rapidly from one steady state to another
– Change often takes longer than you imagine and then happens faster than you might expect.
• Fundamental change will usually draw anger

Question 15

systems thinking do’s and don’ts

Answer 15

• Comprehensive analyses are difficult to conduct
• There are no right answers
• Dividing the problem into sub-problems is not the way to go. You lose characteristics of the system that way
• Recognize that cause and effect will not be closely related in time and space
• A systems diagram that is missing nodes may not be
wrong, but it may not generate insight or have good explanatory power

Question 16

where are fundamental solutions often found

Answer 16

“outside the box” that create the problem (thus may be cultural)

Question 17

why might product redesign be helpful

Answer 17

may be helpful in promoting cultural shifts without ideological confrontation