Systems thinking
Systems thinking is looking at phenomena as a network of elements, relationships, feedbacks and delays.
Definition
Rather than looking for a single linear cause, systems thinking examines how elements influence each other over time. It helps you understand problems that are repeatable, complex and resistant to simple solutions. It is especially important to see the side effects of your own interventions.
Key ideas
- Relationships between elements
- Feedback
- Side effects of solutions
Practice and life
Draw a system around the problem: elements, relationships, delays, reinforcement loops, and balancing loops.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to use systemic nature as an excuse that nothing can be done. The second mistake is to ignore small leverage points.
> What looks like a single error is often the result of multiple past components or a gap in the thinking system.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What relationships sustain the problem?
- Where are the effect delays?
- What side effects might my intervention have?