Systems Thinking PDF

SYSTEMS THINKING Lesson 2: Characteristics of a System Lesson 1: What is a System? (A-O-P-S-F) 1. The parts of a system must all be System available for t...

SYSTEMS THINKING Lesson 2: Characteristics of a System Lesson 1: What is a System? (A-O-P-S-F) 1. The parts of a system must all be System available for the system to fulfill its purpose effectively. (Available) Consists of a group of interacting, 2. A system’s parts must be organized interrelated, or interdependent in a precise manner for the system to components that form a complex and accomplish its purpose. (Organized) unified whole. 3. Systems definitely have a purpose Its components can be tangible, like within larger systems. (Purpose) a physical object that humans can 4. Systems provide for their stability actually touch, like parts that make through fluctuations and up a vehicle. adjustments. (Stability) The components of a system may 5. Systems ought to have feedback. also be regarded as intangible. (Feedback) Example: Relationships, Company Policies, Information Flows - interactions, as well as human mind Lesson 3: Building Causal Loop - values, beliefs, and feelings. Diagrams (CLDs) ○ Another example would be an organizational setting like ❖ A CLD is comprised of 2 or more the Research & Development variables that are connected by links, Department. which generally take the form of an ○ Human body is another arrow. example - Digestive system, circulatory system, etc. General component of a Causal Loop Diagram (CLDs) One or more feedback loops (reinforcing or balancing processes).  Cause-and-effect relationships Reinforcing Loops between the variables. Delays ➔ can be viewed as the engines of growth and collapse. In a CLD, you will be able to observe at ➔ Labeled with an “R”. least two kinds of relationships between ➔ A visual way to identify a variables: reinforcing loop (R) is to 1. When variable A changes, variable B count the number of also changes in the same direction. o/negative(-) in a causal loop (Same) diagram (CLD). 2. When A changes, B also changes in ➔ A causal loop is a reinforcing the opposite direction. (Opposite). causal loop if the relationship is even number or zero ex. RE0 (Reinforcing, Even, Lesson 4: Reinforcing & Balancing Zero) Feedback Loops Balancing Loops Feedback Loops Are closed circuits of ➔ A causal loop is a reinforcing interconnection between variables, causal loop if the relationship and as sequences of mutual cause is an odd number or one ex. and effect. BO1 (Balancing, Odd, One) Depicts either a reinforcing process or balancing process. How to Draw a Causal Loop Diagram Reinforcing & Balancing Feedback Loops 1. Formulate the core problem. the building blocks of any dynamic 2. Tell the story of the problem system structure, and they combine behavior. in an interminable variety of ways to 3. Select the key variables you want to produce the complex systems at work with. work within and around us.  4. Assign a name for the variables ❖ Delays specifically. Remember to: ❖ Feedback a. Use nouns or noun phrases. b. Make sure that your variable name fits into phrases like “level of” or “size of.” c. Use a neutral or positive term whenever possible. d. Take account of intangible variables, such as morale, where applicable, as well as tangible variables. 5. Graph the variables’ behavior over time (BOTG). 6. Hypothesize about how the variables might be interconnected or correlated. Basic Components of a Causal Loop ❖ Topic/Issue – Something you want to understand better. ❖ Polarity ↑↓ – Is described by the term “the more or the less”. ❖ Relationship/Links (+/-) – May be a positive or negative. ❖ Nodes/Variables ❖ Nodes Name/Description Must be noun/noun phrase Is neutral