What is Systems Thinking?
Peter Senge defines systems thinking as "a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static "snapshots". It is a set of general principles...and systems thinking is a sensibility - for the subtle interconnectedness that gives living systems their unique character... Systems thinking is the antidote to this sense of helplessness that many feel..." (Fifth Discipline, pg. 68-69).
According to Anderson & Johnson (1997), systems thinking involves:
Keeping the "big picture" in mind - A systems thinker will take a step back to see the bigger picture - remembering that the current problem or dilemma is connected to the larger system.
Balancing short term and long term perspectives - A systems thinker will think about what actions or decisions impact short and long term outcomes and will seek to find a solution that satisfies both.
Recognizing the dynamic, interdependent nature of system - A systems thinker understands that everything is connected and life is messy.
Being mindful of both the measurable and non-measurable factors- A systems thinker recognizes our tendency to pay more attention to the things that are measured, and as such, values all types of information, including stories.
Systems thinking is about seeing how every action (even well intentioned actions, like in the Larson cartoon) has a reaction or ripple effect in the system.
Without adequately acknowledging the interconnectedness of the parts within a system, there is a risk of generating undesirable and unintended consequences on other parts in the system (which is often referred to as 'sub-optimization').
Let's think back again to the Health Promotion Department as being a system. We know from the work plans, that there is a Schools Team, a Communities & Neighborhoods Team, a Healthy Workplace Team, a Systems Team and a Communications & Learning Strategy Team. Each team or "subsystem" has its own set of actions or goals to accomplish, that support the larger overarching goal of the entire department or System.
If we decided to invest all our energy and effort into the Schools Team to optimize their work plan outputs (by diverting staff time and resources away from all the other teams), would we have moved the system (department) any closer to achieving its overarching goal of having all people within the Saskatoon Health Region thrive? No, probably not, because by optimizing one part of the system, we would have sub-optimized other parts.
By diverting staff time and resources away from the other teams, we would have neglected to simultaneously support the groups that fall on either side of the Schools Team (ie. those under the age of 5 or over the age of 18). Furthermore, we would have failed to recognize all of the elements that help to reinforce healthy behaviors within the lives of school-aged children (like the role of family, the neighborhood, the community, etc). So by optimizing one part of the system (the school setting), we not only run the risk of sub-optimizing other parts of the system (communities & neighborhoods), but also run the risk of counteracting our 'optimized' efforts (any interventions applied within the school setting have a lower likelihood for sustained success, without including the other parts of the system).
With systems thinking everything is connected and everything influences everything, including itself
The following video is (I think) an excellent illustration of the systems thinking principles in action.
I was first exposed to the following video at the 20th Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care, hosted each year by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. This video was played following Don Berwick's plenary session, where he spoke of two future worlds of health that we could either aspire to or admit as defeat. This video played in a room of about 6000 people and the video literally had me, and nearly the rest of the room in silence and in tears. Since then, I must admit, each time I watch it I am equally moved.
I hope you enjoy it.
Without adequately acknowledging the interconnectedness of the parts within a system, there is a risk of generating undesirable and unintended consequences on other parts in the system (which is often referred to as 'sub-optimization').
Let's think back again to the Health Promotion Department as being a system. We know from the work plans, that there is a Schools Team, a Communities & Neighborhoods Team, a Healthy Workplace Team, a Systems Team and a Communications & Learning Strategy Team. Each team or "subsystem" has its own set of actions or goals to accomplish, that support the larger overarching goal of the entire department or System.
If we decided to invest all our energy and effort into the Schools Team to optimize their work plan outputs (by diverting staff time and resources away from all the other teams), would we have moved the system (department) any closer to achieving its overarching goal of having all people within the Saskatoon Health Region thrive? No, probably not, because by optimizing one part of the system, we would have sub-optimized other parts.
By diverting staff time and resources away from the other teams, we would have neglected to simultaneously support the groups that fall on either side of the Schools Team (ie. those under the age of 5 or over the age of 18). Furthermore, we would have failed to recognize all of the elements that help to reinforce healthy behaviors within the lives of school-aged children (like the role of family, the neighborhood, the community, etc). So by optimizing one part of the system (the school setting), we not only run the risk of sub-optimizing other parts of the system (communities & neighborhoods), but also run the risk of counteracting our 'optimized' efforts (any interventions applied within the school setting have a lower likelihood for sustained success, without including the other parts of the system).
With systems thinking everything is connected and everything influences everything, including itself
The following video is (I think) an excellent illustration of the systems thinking principles in action.
I was first exposed to the following video at the 20th Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care, hosted each year by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. This video was played following Don Berwick's plenary session, where he spoke of two future worlds of health that we could either aspire to or admit as defeat. This video played in a room of about 6000 people and the video literally had me, and nearly the rest of the room in silence and in tears. Since then, I must admit, each time I watch it I am equally moved.
I hope you enjoy it.
Links to the Social Ecological Model
The good news is this type of thinking.... systems thinking, is not really new to those in health promotion. Systems thinking is consistent with the social ecological model, which is familiar to those who work in Public Health. Using the social ecological model, health promotion practitioners appreciate the interconnectedness that exists through the relationships people have with and between family, friends, organizations, teams, communities, faith groups, etc.
The social ecological model is a systems thinking model.
The social ecological model helps to illustrate the levels or layers of influence that affect individuals. Different stakeholders operate within each of these layers and all must be targeted using the appropriate channels and methods, in order to successfully influence change.
The social ecological model is a systems thinking model.
The social ecological model helps to illustrate the levels or layers of influence that affect individuals. Different stakeholders operate within each of these layers and all must be targeted using the appropriate channels and methods, in order to successfully influence change.