Duration: 2 days – 14 hrs
Overview
The Systems Thinking Training Course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to approach complex problems and systems holistically. The course introduces the principles and methodologies of systems thinking, enabling participants to analyze and solve problems by considering the interconnections and interdependencies within systems. Through practical exercises, case studies, and group discussions, participants will learn how to apply systems thinking in their professional environments to improve decision-making, enhance organizational performance, and foster innovation.
Objectives
• Learn to identify and analyze interconnections within complex systems.
• Develop the ability to design solutions that consider the entire system and its impact.
• Improve problem-solving abilities through a systems-oriented approach.
• Encourage collaborative thinking to address system-wide challenges effectively.
Audience
• Business Analysts: Professionals who analyze and design business processes and systems, seeking a holistic approach.
• Project Managers: Those managing complex projects who need to understand system-wide impacts.
• Product Managers: Individuals responsible for product development and lifecycle management who want to integrate systems thinking into their strategies.
• Designers: UX/UI and service designers aiming to create user-centered solutions with a systemic perspective.
• Engineers: Systems engineers, software developers, and others involved in creating and maintaining complex systems.
• Change Managers: Professionals focused on organizational change and transformation, looking to manage change more effectively.
• Consultants: Management and strategy consultants who provide advisory services on complex system-related issues.
• Educators and Researchers: Academics and researchers interested in teaching or applying systems thinking principles.
• Policy Makers: Government officials and policy makers involved in creating policies with widespread societal impacts.
• Senior Executives: Leaders who need to understand the broader implications of decisions across the organization or ecosystem.
Prerequisites
• Familiarity with basic systems or processes within your industry.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information effectively.
• Previous experience in management, design, engineering, or similar roles is recommended but not mandatory.
Course Content
Day 1: Introduction to Systems Thinking
Module 1: Introduction to Systems Thinking
• Overview of Systems Thinking
• History and Development of Systems Thinking
• Key Principles and Concepts
• Holism
• Interconnectedness
• Feedback Loops
• Introduction to the 5 C’s of Systems Thinking
• Connection: Understanding how parts of a system are interrelated
• Context: Recognizing the environment in which the system operates
• Continuity: Identifying patterns and trends over time
• Change: Understanding how systems evolve and adapt
• Contingency: Recognizing the role of uncertainty and unforeseen events
Module 2: Understanding Systems
• Types of Systems (Simple, Complicated, Complex, and Chaotic)
• Elements of a System (Boundaries, Components, Relationships, etc.)
• Examples of Systems in Different Contexts (e.g., ecological, organizational, social)
Module 3: Systems Mapping and Tools
• Systems Mapping Techniques (Causal Loop Diagrams, Stock and Flow Diagrams)
• Introduction to Tools and Software for Systems Thinking (e.g., Vensim, Stella)
• Hands-on Exercise: Creating a Simple Systems Map
Module 4: Feedback Loops and Delays
• Understanding Feedback Loops (Reinforcing and Balancing)
• Identifying Delays in Systems
• Practical Exercise: Identifying Feedback Loops in Real-World Scenarios
Day 2: Advanced Applications and Case Studies
Module 5: Applying the 5 C’s to Systems Analysis
• Deep Dive into Each of the 5 C’s of Systems Thinking
• Connection: Mapping relationships and dependencies
• Context: Analyzing external factors influencing the system
• Continuity: Identifying historical patterns and future projections
• Change: Anticipating system dynamics and evolution
• Contingency: Planning for uncertainties and potential disruptions
• Group Exercise: Applying the 5 C’s to a Case Study
Module 6: Leverage Points in Systems
• Identifying Leverage Points in Systems
• Using Leverage Points to Influence Systems Behavior
• Case Study: Analyzing Leverage Points in a Business Scenario
Module 7: Systems Thinking in Problem Solving
• Applying Systems Thinking to Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Techniques for Effective Problem Structuring
• Group Activity: Problem Solving with Systems Thinking
Module 8: Systems Archetypes
• Introduction to Common Systems Archetypes (e.g., “Limits to Growth,” “Shifting the Burden”)
• Recognizing and Avoiding Archetypal Traps
• Case Study: Analyzing a System Archetype in Organizational Change
