Thinking

What is Systems Thinking?

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A major paradigm shift from the more traditional ways of thinking that we are so familiar with, and may have grown too comfortable and complacent in exclusively relying upon, throughout our lives. There are so many important lessons we have learned that it will serve us well to review a few of the highlights as we begin our journey into implanting systems thinking into our lives.

• In a system, everything is interconnected. 

• It is all about how the relationships and connections between the parts impact the system as a whole. 

• Changing one part of a system will impact the entire system.

• Every action and decision will have unintended consequences, so taking the time to analyse a system carefully, instead of rushing to find a “quick and easy fix,” is key.

• If you want to change a system, it is more efficient and impactful to change the interconnections and purpose or function than it is to change the elements. 

• Changing the rules and relationships can often create a “whole new system.”

• Looking at problems deeply and from a multitude of perspectives with an open mind will increase the likelihood of finding a lasting positive solution.

• Taking the time to look at an event, and then examining the behaviour patterns of a system in the quest for deeper understanding by asking new questions, is important if we are interested in finding the best possible solutions to the complex problems we face today. 

• To systems thinkers, there is no final, definitive answer. 

• An answer is often the beginning of a new question.

Why use Systems Thinking?

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Knowledge is power. When we know better, we do better. Systems thinking expands our thinking and opens us up to many possible solutions as we look at problems in new ways. We can make more informed choices, knowing that there is no such thing as a perfect solution and every choice we make will impact other parts of the system because it is all interconnected. Systems thinking allows us to be aware of the impact of our choices and to do everything in our power to limit any negative consequences that may arise from them.

When should we use Systems Thinking?

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Systems thinking is very effective in helping to solve a variety of complex problems. If the concern is important, the problem has occurred repeatedly, and has a history that can be studied and analysed, and people have tried to solve the problem in the past with little or no success, it is a prime candidate for a systems thinking approach.

Systems thinking is a whole new way for us to look at ourselves, our businesses, our relationships, and the world around us. 

It involves being aware that the choices we make may have unintended consequences, so they deserve careful and deliberate thought.

Knowledge is power. When we know better, we do better. 

Systems thinking expands our cognition and opens us up to many possible solutions as we look at problems in new ways. We can make more informed choices knowing that there is no such thing as a perfect solution, and every choice we make will impact other parts of the system because it is all interconnected.

Systems thinking is not what human nature is automatically inclined to do. It will not come easily to us or happen immediately, but with time and practice, we can become systems thinkers. I don’t promise that it will be easy, but it will be worth it. - Steven Schuster, The Art of Thinking in Systems, 2018