Systems Thinking Flashcards
What is the illusion of complexity
managing complexity by dividing the problem into component functions
what is the illusion of conflict?
decisions are setup at trade-offs, and managers have to balance them
what is the illusion of certainty
manage uncertainty by forecasting and planning in a static enviornment
Limiting paradigm vs enabling paradigm
limiting paradigm - three illusions (traditional)
enabling paradigm - lean TOC way
How to enable complexity
look for inherent simplicity
how to enable conflicts
win-win is always possible, just find it
how to enable certainty?
find a good enough solution and use feedback to improve it
five step TOC Focusing Process (FOCUS)
Find the Constraint
Optimize the constraint
Collaborate to manage the constraint
Upgrade the Constraint
Start Again
What are the types of constraints?
Physical constraints - something in the way
Market constraints - not enough demand
policy constraints - systematic issues
What are three types of policy constraints?
Mindset constraints
Method Constraints
Measures Constraints
what is mindset constraints
the culture of a company gets in the way
what are method constraints
procedures and techniques get in the way - “that’s the way we have always done it”
What are measures constraints
when measures drive behaviors that are not aligned with org goals.
what is the trinity of policy constraints?
You don’t understand
We’re different
That won’t work here
What are the three main questions when considering change?
What to change?
What to change to?
How to cause the change?
