Applying Systems Thinking and
Common Archetypes to Organizational Issues

Getting Started

Develop an understanding of Systems Thinking and its applicability.
- Describe Systems Thinking (including connection to System Dynamics and TQM).
- Identify when Systems Thinking adds value.
- Appreciate Systems Thinking as a tool for COLLECTIVE inquiry - balancing technical mastery with communicating systemically in every day situations.
Learn a new language to communicate more effectively about complex problems.
- Distinguish between events, patterns, and structure.
- Describe causal feedback relationships/draw loops (as distinct from process loops).
- Recognize systems archetypes (classic system stories) in a "case."
- Describe own and inquire into other's mental models/critical assumptions and their role in the structure.
Develop skills for analyzing problems and identifying higher leverage solutions.
- Apply the steps of Systems Thinking to situations of interest.
- Understand structures (forces) behind problems that cause them to persist.
- Recognize own role (thinking and actions) as part of the structure.
- Identify intervention options and the likely impact of interventions.
- Recognize intended and unintended consequences of choices.
Enhance skills for having productive conversations about complex, controversial issues.
- Identify own and other's mental models.
- Engage in collective inquiry (balance inquiry with advocacy).
- Incorporate divergent points of view into your understanding of the situation.