Define Systems and Thinking

Systems Thinking

Systems thinking offer a powerful new perspective, a specialized language, and a set of tools that one can use to address the most stubborn problems in everyday life and work. Systems thinking is a way of understanding reality that emphasizes the relationships among a system’s parts, rather than the parts themselves. Based on a field of study known as system dynamics, Systems thinking has a practical value that rests on a solid theoretical foundation.

One of the major breakthroughs in understanding the complex world of organizations is the field of systems theory. The field studies systems from the perspective of the whole system, its various subsystems and the recurring patterns in the relationships between the subsystems. Systems theory has greatly influenced how we understand and change organizations.

The application of this theory is called systems analysis. One of the major tools of systems analysis is systems thinking. Basically, Systems thinking is a way of helping a person to view systems from a broad perspective that includes seeing overall structures, patterns and cycles in systems, rather than seeing only specific events in the system. This broad view can help to quickly identify the real causes of issues in organizations and know just where to work to address them. Systems thinking has produced a variety of principles and tools for analyzing and changing systems.

By focusing on the entire system, consultants can attempt to identify solutions that address as many problems as possible in the system. The positive effect of those solutions leverages improvement throughout the system. Thus, they are called “leverage points” in the system. This priority on the entire system and its leverage points is called whole Systems thinking.

What are Systems?

A system is a group of interacting, interrelated, and interdependent components that form a complex and unified whole. Systems are everywhere—for example, the R&D department in an organization, the circulatory system in our body, the predator/prey relationships in nature, the ignition system in a car, and so on.

Ecological systems and human social systems are living systems; human-made systems such as cars and washing machines are nonliving systems. Most systems thinkers focus their attention on living systems, especially human social systems. However, many systems thinkers are also interested in how human social systems affect the larger ecological systems in our planet.

Systems have several defining characteristics

Every system has a purpose within a larger system.

Example The purpose of the R&D department in an organization is to generate new product ideas and features for the organization.

All of a system’s parts must be present for the system to carry out its purpose optimally.

Example The R&D system in an organization consists of people, equipment, and processes. If any one of these components are removed, this system could no longer function.

A system’s parts must be arranged in a specific way for the system to carry out its purpose.

Example If the reporting relationships in the R&D department are rearranged so that the head of new-product development reported to the entry-level lab technician, the department would likely have trouble carrying out its purpose.

Systems change in response to feedback. The word feedback plays a central role in systems thinking. Feedback is information that returns to its original transmitter such that it influences that transmitter’s subsequent actions.

Systems maintain their stability by making adjustments based on feedback.

Systems Thinking as a Perspective

Systems thinking is a perspective because it helps us see the events and patterns in a new light—and respond to them in higher leverage ways. This is why looking at the world through Systems thinking “lens” is so powerful It lets one actually make the world a better place.

Systems Thinking as a Special Language

As a language, Systems thinking has unique qualities that help to communicate with others about the many systems around and within

It emphasizes wholes rather than parts, and stresses the role of interconnections— including the role we each play in the systems at work in our lives.

It emphasizes circular feedback (for example, A leads to B, which leads to C, which leads back to A) rather than linear cause and effect (A leads to B, which leads to C, which leads to D, . . . and so on).

It contains special terminology that describes system behavior, such as reinforcing process (a feedback flow that generates exponential growth or collapse) and balancing process (a feedback flow that controls change and helps a system maintain stability).

Systems Thinking as a Set of Tools

The field of systems thinking has generated a broad array of tools that let

Graphically depict the understanding of a particular system’s structure and behavior.

Communicate with others about one’s understandings.

Design high-leverage interventions for problematic system behavior. These tools include causal loops, behavior over time graphs, stock and flow diagrams, and systems archetypes—all of which let depiction of a system which help to test the potential impact of one’s interventions