Thinking Systems

1. Thinking Systems J. Martin Hays

2. System A system is a set of interrelated and interdependent elements and subsystems forming a whole

3. The Human Body The human body is a complete system comprised of a number of key subsystems

4. The Human Body • Major subsystems are: • Musculo-skeletal system • Cardiovascular system • Lymphatic-hormonal system • Reproductive system • Nervous system • Digestive system

5. Exercise • In Subgroups: • Name subsystem parts and what they do • Define how they relate and co-depend • Explain importance to the system • Find/explain corollaries in organization • In Large Group: • Subgroups report-out on their subsystems • Discuss implications

6. Implications Any action in or to any element of the system will impact the remaining parts of the system

7. System and Subsystems Subsystem Subsystem System (the whole of interacting parts)

8. System Features • Purposeful • Established arrangement • Interrelationship among elements • System goals paramount • Process preferential • Bounded

9. Designed to Work INPUTS THROUGHPUT OUTPUTS Feedback An organization is a system which takes in inputs, transforms them, and produces outputs

10. INPUTS THROUGHPUT OUTPUTS Feedback Designed to Work Subsystem Subsystem Each subsystem has its own input-transformation-output cycle

11. Organization as Dynamic System Organizations are open systems; subject to pressures and inputs from their environment

12. Organization as Dynamic System Dynamic systems change over time, adapting to better fit the environment

13. INPUTS THROUGHPUT OUTPUTS Feedback Entropy The nature of transformative processes is to degrade and disorder over time A bleak picture?

14. Entropy One way to stave off the tendency toward entropy is to infuse the system with energy and other resources

15. Open Systems and Dynamic Equilibrium An open system influences and is influenced by the environment in a continual process of interdependence The system seeks balance by continually adjusting

16. Essence of Open Systems • Synergy and Integration • All parts are integrated and work in concert • The whole is greater than the sum of its parts • Feedback • Information is used to adjust and control • performance • Interaction among subsystems and with the • environment is essential at all times

17. Our Organization What does this all mean for us?

18. Our Organization Overall efficiency depends on the quantity and quality of the interaction and feedback among system elements

19. Our Organization • Survival depends on • Continual learning and adaptation • Infusion of resources • Optimizing transformation potential

20. Our Organization • Survival Principles • Consider the consequences • Work together • Focus on purpose • Focus on process • Ensure abundant feedback • Know where you are

21. Unanticipated Consequences Any change in one part of a system will produce changes in other parts A pebble thrown into the center of a smooth pond will ripple throughout

22. Ripple Effect A bit of philosophy… Everything we do has far-reaching implications. A ripple becomes a wave; a wave becomes a tide.

23. Using Systems Thinking to Solve Problems • Steps • Name the problem or opportunity • Brainstorm variables • Label each variable • Array all variables • Relate and cluster all variables • Connect “lines of influence” • Test it out