systems thinking for everyone
TRANSCRIPT
SYSTEMS THINKING FOR EVERYONE
Credit: Magic Eye
DO
YO
U S
EE
WH
AT
I SE
E?
Credit: Magic Eye
“Focus as though you are looking through the
image into the distance…
very slowly move the image away from your
face...the hidden image will magically
appear…good luck!”
“everything is deeply
intertwingled”
Ted Nelson (1974)
Credit: Laemeur
Credit: Magic Eye
WHAT IS A SYSTEMS THINKER?
- Sees the whole picture- Changes perspectives to see new leverage points in complex systems- Looks for interdependencies- Considers how mental models create our futures- Pays attention to and gives voice to the long-term- “Goes wide” (uses peripheral vision) to see complex cause and effect
relationships- Finds where unanticipated consequences emerge- Focuses on structure, not on blame- Holds the tension of paradox and controversy without trying to resolve it
quickly- Makes systems visible through maps and models- Watches for win/lose mindsets, knowing they usually make matters worse
in situations of high interdependence- Sees oneself as part of, not outside of, the system
The System Thinking Playbook
4STEPS TO
SYSTEMS THINKING WIZARDRY
1. PRIME THE BRAIN
Credit: Spartwolf117
1. PRIME THE BRAIN
WE ARE IRRATIONAL
1. PRIME THE BRAIN
Credit: Dave Smith, Centre for Mathematical Biology
PLAY GAMES
1. PRIME THE BRAIN
Credit: Joel Avery, Noun Project
DIV
ER
GE
NT
T
HIN
KIN
G
5 WHYs
1. PRIME THE BRAIN
Credit: Gustav Salomonsson
1. PRIME THE BRAIN
RO
LE
PL
AY
2. EMBRACE COMPLEXITY
DIS
CO
VE
R M
OR
E
Credit: Caters News Agency
2. EMBRACE COMPLEXITY
WORSE BEFORE BETTER
Credit: NBC News
2. EMBRACE COMPLEXITY
3. CO-CREATE
A.K.A. BE GENEROUS;
SHARE THE POWER
HO
W M
IGH
T W
E...?
3. CO-CREATE
DESIGN SPRINT
How might we…create an intuitive and supportive enrollment experience that aligns with student and institutional goals?
3. CO-CREATE
Monday - Understand
Tuesday - Diverge
Wednesday - Decide
Thursday - Prototype
Friday - Test
UN
DE
RS
TA
ND
3. CO-CREATE
UN
DE
RS
TA
ND
3. CO-CREATE
Alex Laurel
DIVERGE
3. CO-CREATE
DIVERGE
3. CO-CREATE
3. CO-CREATE
DECIDE
PR
OT
OT
YP
E3. CO-CREATE
Credit: Keir Serrie
3. CO-CREATE
TEST
4. BUILD TRUST
4. BUILD TRUST
Credits: Jan-Kanty Pawelski, Alina Alvarez, NounProject
PRIME THE BRAIN
EMBRACE COMPLEXITY
CO-CREATE
BUILD TRUST
PE
RS
PE
CT
IVE
Credit: Octavio Ocampo, WikiArt
RESOURCES
The Systems Thinking Playbook, Sweeney/MeadowsRole-playing the Interaction, Stephen AndersonJust Enough Research, Erika HallCo-designing resources, Service Design ToolsThe Secret Phrase Top Innovators Use, HBRDesign Sprint Resources, Google Ventures