Self-study on systems thinking by Paulina Lis

1. Introduction to the concept

paulinalis0203 — 2023-12-11 19:53:18 UTC

I searched for an 'introduction' to the topic to start the research. I chose the above article to get to know the concept from scratch. It was quite interesting to learn at the beginning that: 'The discipline of systems thinking is more than just a collection of tools and methods – it’s also an underlying philosophy.'

There are also six tools described which are essential for developing an understanding of how the world works from a systems viewpoint:

Synthesis - combining two or more things to create something new
Interconnections - the rules, ideas, and relationships that tie things together
Emergence - the outcome of the synergies of the parts
Feedback Loops - all parts of the system are connected, so a change in one part generates waves of changes that reach all other parts
Causality - (classical) is that things have causes
Systems Mapping - creating a common understanding of what's in, and out, of the system

3.Adopting Systems Thinking and Design Thinking to solve daily problems

paulinalis0203 — 2023-12-11 19:53:37 UTC

Next, I wondered, okay if I know the basics, how can I use it? Where can I apply systematic thinking? The first came to my mind work, but I wondered if that concept can also be applied in real-life situations and daily tasks. I found the above TEDTalk interesting as it not only provides basics for system thinking but also design thinking and the speaker - Pragya Saboo - explains how a good balance of these two approaches can bring the most positive results and how to introduce them in daily decisions, identifying the root causes of problems, better understanding of ourselves and finding the barriers.

4. Cats in Borneo

paulinalis0203 — 2023-12-11 19:53:42 UTC

I also found a quite funny, short video on You Tube showing the importance of the approach of systems thinking. It is clear from the video that not understanding how decisions influence other factors may sometimes cause even more problems.

5. Systems thinking case study bank

paulinalis0203 — 2023-12-11 19:53:47 UTC

Lastly, I wanted to find a real case studies based on systems thinking approach to see how can it be used in businesses, what benefits it brings. I found an interesting case study bank has been produced by the Government Office for Science as part of a wider systems thinking program to promote systems thinking across the Civil Service. For me,as I work in insurance sector, the most interesting one was 'Foresight project on the future of population ageing' as it helped policymakers think strategically about what population ageing would mean for the UK. As an outcome systems map was created to develop a common narrative around ageing and how all the different factors fitted together affect the cross-government working.

2. Mr Nobody

paulinalis0203 — 2023-12-11 20:26:26 UTC

What I read in the first article, reminded me of the film that I watched in high school, called ''Mr. Nobody". It made me realize that the film perfectly captures the idea of systems thinking. It is about Nemo Nobody's life and examines how his decisions lead to different outcomes. The film's non-linear narrative reflects the complexity of systems by illustrating the interplay between choices, viewpoints, and small details that have an impact on the bigger picture. In my opinion, it perfectly reflects interconnectedness, feedback loops, and causality, making it a perfect example of systems thinking in cinematic form to get an understanding of the concept.