Podcast
Questions and Answers
Systems thinking tools are useful only if you can actually practice and ______ them.
Systems thinking tools are useful only if you can actually practice and ______ them.
apply
Fluency in systems thinking requires lots of ______ and practice.
Fluency in systems thinking requires lots of ______ and practice.
study
The chapter intends to help students identify value creation and business ______.
The chapter intends to help students identify value creation and business ______.
success
One of the objectives is to differentiate various palette of system thinking ______.
One of the objectives is to differentiate various palette of system thinking ______.
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The chapter emphasizes the importance of practicing life-long systems ______.
The chapter emphasizes the importance of practicing life-long systems ______.
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The learning journey includes understanding system ______.
The learning journey includes understanding system ______.
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To introduce systems thinking to others, one may use BOT graphs and ______ diagrams.
To introduce systems thinking to others, one may use BOT graphs and ______ diagrams.
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The section provides practical tips for using systems thinking on the ______.
The section provides practical tips for using systems thinking on the ______.
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Your best bet is to approach this endeavor in the spirit of 'learning to walk before you ______.'
Your best bet is to approach this endeavor in the spirit of 'learning to walk before you ______.'
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Strong advocacy will create ______—both to your ideas, and to systems thinking itself.
Strong advocacy will create ______—both to your ideas, and to systems thinking itself.
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Systems thinking can help you break through the clutter of everyday events to recognize general patterns of ______ and the structures that are producing them.
Systems thinking can help you break through the clutter of everyday events to recognize general patterns of ______ and the structures that are producing them.
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Chronic unresolved problems are more often the result of ______ breakdowns than individual mistakes.
Chronic unresolved problems are more often the result of ______ breakdowns than individual mistakes.
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Questions that look for ______ include asking if the same problem has occurred in the past.
Questions that look for ______ include asking if the same problem has occurred in the past.
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Solutions to these problems lie at the ______, not the individual, level.
Solutions to these problems lie at the ______, not the individual, level.
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Genuinely curious questions enable new information to be ______.
Genuinely curious questions enable new information to be ______.
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Here are some clues that non systemic thinking is going on: phrases such as 'We need to have immediate ______.'
Here are some clues that non systemic thinking is going on: phrases such as 'We need to have immediate ______.'
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Questions that push for a deeper understanding inquire about ______ that might be causing certain behaviors.
Questions that push for a deeper understanding inquire about ______ that might be causing certain behaviors.
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Your goal should be to achieve a fuller and wider understanding of the ______.
Your goal should be to achieve a fuller and wider understanding of the ______.
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Probing questions may include asking about the effect of project ______ on resources.
Probing questions may include asking about the effect of project ______ on resources.
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DO start with smaller-scale ______.
DO start with smaller-scale ______.
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Questions looking for hidden ______ might ask what is causing the feeling of spinning wheels.
Questions looking for hidden ______ might ask what is causing the feeling of spinning wheels.
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To explore unintended consequences, it's important to frame questions carefully to avoid being seen as a ______.
To explore unintended consequences, it's important to frame questions carefully to avoid being seen as a ______.
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During team meetings, the CEO established a ‘qualming’ period for team members to raise their ______.
During team meetings, the CEO established a ‘qualming’ period for team members to raise their ______.
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Thinking systemically helps one reflect on how actions affect the Earth, water, air, and all ______ creatures.
Thinking systemically helps one reflect on how actions affect the Earth, water, air, and all ______ creatures.
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With a manufacturing delay problem, you might check with ______ to see whether there are any dynamics affecting the manufacturing delays.
With a manufacturing delay problem, you might check with ______ to see whether there are any dynamics affecting the manufacturing delays.
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There’s no 'final' or 'correct' ______ diagram; it’s a learning process that evolves with new data.
There’s no 'final' or 'correct' ______ diagram; it’s a learning process that evolves with new data.
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To gain buy-in and maximize learning, make sure your audience participates in the ______ process.
To gain buy-in and maximize learning, make sure your audience participates in the ______ process.
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Instead of proposing a vague solution like 'Improve communications,' rephrase it as 'Reduce the ______ delay between sales and manufacturing by creating a new information system.'
Instead of proposing a vague solution like 'Improve communications,' rephrase it as 'Reduce the ______ delay between sales and manufacturing by creating a new information system.'
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An intervention should be specific, measurable, and ______.
An intervention should be specific, measurable, and ______.
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Remember the general principle: 'Today’s problems often come from yesterday’s ______.'
Remember the general principle: 'Today’s problems often come from yesterday’s ______.'
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This process includes acting, seeing the results, and then coming back to examine the outcomes from a ______ perspective.
This process includes acting, seeing the results, and then coming back to examine the outcomes from a ______ perspective.
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Learning is a ______—not a once-through process with a beginning and an end.
Learning is a ______—not a once-through process with a beginning and an end.
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Resist the tendency to 'solve' the issue and focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the ______ producing the problem.
Resist the tendency to 'solve' the issue and focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the ______ producing the problem.
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In addition to using systems thinking skills in the workplace, you can incorporate the learning and practice of systems thinking into ______ life.
In addition to using systems thinking skills in the workplace, you can incorporate the learning and practice of systems thinking into ______ life.
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Individual practice is a good starting point for applying the basic concepts of ______ thinking.
Individual practice is a good starting point for applying the basic concepts of ______ thinking.
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These practice methods need no equipment—just your brain, your curiosity, and your ______.
These practice methods need no equipment—just your brain, your curiosity, and your ______.
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Much of the value of systems thinking comes from the different framework that it gives us for looking at problems in ______ ways.
Much of the value of systems thinking comes from the different framework that it gives us for looking at problems in ______ ways.
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The concept of the ______-Patterns-Structure iceberg lets us practice going beyond event-oriented responses to look for deeper causes of problems.
The concept of the ______-Patterns-Structure iceberg lets us practice going beyond event-oriented responses to look for deeper causes of problems.
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To practice moving from events to structure, start by simply paying attention to the ______ you ask.
To practice moving from events to structure, start by simply paying attention to the ______ you ask.
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Practice asking questions that get at deeper ______, that inquire into others’ viewpoints, or that elicit additional information.
Practice asking questions that get at deeper ______, that inquire into others’ viewpoints, or that elicit additional information.
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Instead, try to focus on a problem ______ and draw the minimum variables and loops you’ll need to capture the problem.
Instead, try to focus on a problem ______ and draw the minimum variables and loops you’ll need to capture the problem.
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DON’T work with systems thinking techniques under pressure, or in front of a group that is ______ for or intolerant of the learning process.
DON’T work with systems thinking techniques under pressure, or in front of a group that is ______ for or intolerant of the learning process.
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The process of systems thinking reveals mental ______, can be controversial, and is highly iterative in nature.
The process of systems thinking reveals mental ______, can be controversial, and is highly iterative in nature.
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Diagramming is a very effective tool for promoting ______ inquiry into a problem or issue.
Diagramming is a very effective tool for promoting ______ inquiry into a problem or issue.
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DO start with a central loop or process, then add loops to ‘fill in’ ______ like what is pushing the system out of whack.
DO start with a central loop or process, then add loops to ‘fill in’ ______ like what is pushing the system out of whack.
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DO begin by looking for generic ______ that might clarify the problem.
DO begin by looking for generic ______ that might clarify the problem.
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DO check with others to see if they can add some insight or improve upon your ______.
DO check with others to see if they can add some insight or improve upon your ______.
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If you’re exploring the causes of missed delivery ______ in a factory, lump together the types of products that are experiencing similar delays.
If you’re exploring the causes of missed delivery ______ in a factory, lump together the types of products that are experiencing similar delays.
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Study Notes
Section 6: From Loops to Leverage
- Systems thinking is like learning a new language, requiring practice and study to master.
- Applying systems thinking tools can be done immediately, individually or in an organization.
- Students will learn to identify value creation and business success.
- Learn how to use different system thinking tools.
- Understand the learning journey on system archetypes.
Chapter 6: Value Creation and Business Success
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Do's and Don'ts of Systems Thinking on the Job:
- Don't use systems thinking to promote a specific agenda. The goal should be to understand problems better.
- Systems thinking is about inquiry, not advocacy.
- Use systems thinking to find the root causes of problems, not just symptoms.
- Don't blame individuals for systemic problems.
- Start with smaller-scale problems to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Use diagrams gradually and progressively to build confidence.
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Getting Started:
- Problems are complex and require time to understand.
- Take your time to examine and understand problems.
- Look for systemic patterns, not just individual mistakes.
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Drawing Causal Loop Diagrams:
- Start by identifying variables and assumptions.
- Begin with a central loop or process, then add more details.
- Diagramming helps to promote group discussions.
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Drawing Causal Loop Diagrams:
- Use the basic concept of events, patterns and structure to analyze problems in new ways.
- Identify and probe for patterns, relationships between variables, and underlying structures.
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Pay Attention to Questions:
- Ask questions that look for patterns, probe for causes, highlight time delays, and look for unintended consequences.
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Sense and Notice the Systems Around You:
- Actively look for feedback loops in everyday life.
- Use causal loop diagrams to understand patterns of behavior.
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Collaborative Learning and Communities:
- Learning from others and groups is vital for mastering systems thinking.
- Participate in groups to offer feedback and learn from others’ experiences.
- Form learning communities to practice and understand system thinking.
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Description
Test your understanding of systems thinking concepts in Chapter 6: Value Creation and Business Success. This quiz covers key principles, do's and don'ts, and practical applications of systems thinking tools in business. Prepare to enhance your inquiry skills and recognize the value of systemic approaches to problem-solving.
