Leverage point
A leverage point is a place in a system where a relatively small change can have a large effect throughout the system.
Definition
In systems thinking, a leverage point refers to an element, rule, information flow, delay, or assumption whose change affects many other parts of the system. Searching for a leverage point protects against the proliferation of spurious actions. In practice, it involves mapping dependencies and checking where the problem is persisted.
Key ideas
Missing key ideas.
Practice and life
Draw the problem as a system: elements, connections and loops. Highlight where one change could reduce several effects at once.
Common misunderstanding
It is a mistake to assume that the most visible symptom is the best point of intervention. Delays and side effects are often overlooked.
Questions for self-reflection
No questions for self-reflection.
Sources
No sources.