We cannot understand the nature of a system by analysis of its parts. "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." Albert Einstein
	Why Systems Thinking?... because systems thinking principles provide a necessary conceptual base and a powerful tool-set for working the most complex issues that confront us as individuals, in teams, or in organizations. It provides ways of viewing the world as a whole and using that view to find the leverage points for fundamental change. It enables a new level of understanding of why things are as they are, and offers insight for breakthrough solutions. The enduring principles include The idea that inter-relationships at a high level are often more critical than the detail of components. Events, Behavior, and Structure-three levels of perspective which provide increasing insight into behavior and change. The acknowledgement of feedback loops, time-delays, and non-linearities as driving factors in a system's performance. A focus on the relationships that tie the system components together, as opposed to focus on improving the components only. An acknowledgement that no one of us can truly comprehend the entire system. We must rely on people in different parts of the system to improve our understanding. We must listen. "To optimize the whole, we must suboptimize the parts." W. Edwards Deming The Tool-set includes... Mapping methods for visual representation of system structure, especially causal loops and stocks and flows. Behavior over time charts for describing relevant dynamic patterns. Archetypes that illuminate the structures behind common system stories and behaviors. Simulation tools for building quantitative system models that enable the exploration of alternative courses of action. Matrices for scenario planning, strategy assessment, and stakeholder world views. Strong facilitation approaches and principles of dialogue and skillful conversation that enable people, who may historically be at odds, to work together, essential to seeing the "whole elephant". These tools have evolved from practice over the last forty + years, from the time that systems concepts began to be applied to social systems. They are still evolving in our practice. Back to Top Home / About the Collaborative / Why Systems Thinking? / Products & Services / Contact Us / Email Us Systems Thinking Collaborative Phone: (781) 275-4056 or (978) 897-5670 / Fax: (781) 275-1504 © All Content and Artwork Copyright 2001/The Systems Thinking Collaborative. Site Designed by Gardiner Design