Applying Systems Thinking and
Common Archetypes to Organizational Issues

Course Syllabus

Module 1 Index - Why the Systems View?

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• The Case of Acme Inc.
  • A Typical View
  • A Systems View
  • Exercise: The Difference Between a Typical and a Systems View
  • Exercise: Impediments to Thinking and Acting Systemically
• Overview of the Steps in Systems Thinking
• Where Systems Thinking Adds Value
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions

 

Module 2 Index - Organizational Learning and Systems Thinking Framework

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• Creative Tension
• The Disciplines of Organizational Learning
• Purpose of Systems Thinking
• Principles of Systems Thinking
  • Example: "On to the Next Crisis!"
  • Exercise: Applying the Iceberg
• Steps in Systems Thinking
• Using the Iceberg on the Job
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Your Knowledge

 

Module 3 Index - Systems Language

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • Conceptual Model
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• Systems Language Overview
• Building Blocks
  • Variables
    • Exercise: Naming Variables
  • Links
    • Exercise: Making Links
  • Mental Models/Thought Bubbles
    • Exercise: Identifying the Mental Models Behind Decisions
  • Direction/S and O
    • Exercise: Labeling Links as S or O
  • Feedback Loops
    • Exercise: Constructing a Doom Loop (Optional)
• Reinforcing Feedback
  • Definition & Description
  • Reinforcing Feedback Time Trend
    • Exercise: Reinforcing Time Trend - "Lily Pond" (Optional)
  • Reinforcing Feedback Loop Diagram
    • Exercise: Renaming Variables - "Pile Up" (Optional)
  • Implications & Interventions for Reinforcing Feedback
    • Example: "Pygmalion Effect"
    • Example: "More Help Than You Need"
    • Exercise: "Recruiting the Navy's Future"
    • Exercise: Drawing Your Own R-Loop
• Balancing Feedback
  • Definition & Description
  • Balancing Feedback Time Trend
  • Balancing Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Implications & Interventions for Balancing Feedback
    • Example: "Service Quality"
    • Example: "Workforce Training Issues"
    • Exercise: "SOPs"
    • Exercise: Drawing Your Own B-Loop
• Delays
  • Types of Delays
  • Delays in Feedback Loops
    • Exercise: Identifying Delays
• Balancing Feedback with a Goal
  • Definition and Description
  • Balancing Feedback with a Goal Loop Diagram
    • Example: "Weight Control"
    • Example: "Shower Temperature"
    • Example: Disabled Balancing Feedback in Education
    • Exercise: "Inventory Management"
    • Exercise: Drawing Your Own B-Loop with a Goal
• Multiple Loop Diagrams
  • Exercise: "Budget Pressure"
• Additional Exercises (Optional)
  • Exercise: "Auto Rebates"
  • Exercise: "Marketing vs. Product Development"
  • Exercise: "Quality Improvement"
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Your Knowledge

 

Module 4 Index - Planning Interventions

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • Conceptual Model
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• Intervening to Improve Performance
• Going Deeper Questions
  • Purpose
  • Mental Models
  • Personal Responsibility
  • Expanding Our View
  • Example: "Keeping Up with the Joneses"
• Steps in Designing & Implementing Interventions
  • Identify Desired Results
  • Generate Possible Intervention Strategies
  • Evaluate Proposed Interventions
  • Test Actual Interventions
  • Example: "Living Within Our Means"
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Your Knowledge

 

Module 5 Index - Mental Models and Productive Conversation

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • Conceptual Model
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• Characteristics of Mental Models
• The Reinforcing Structure of Mental Models
  • Examples: Typical Defensive Routines
  • Exercise: Your Own Mental Models
• Tools for Working with Mental Models
  • Ladder of Inference
  • Example: "He's Late for a Very Important Date"
  • Left-Hand Column Cases
  • Exercise: Using a Left-Hand Column Case
  • Balancing Advocacy & Inquiry
• Systems Thinking & Mental Modeling
  • Protocols for Productive Conversation
  • When Advocating
  • When Inquiring
  • When Thoughts May Limit Learning
  • When Facilitation Is Needed
  • When Together You Are at an Impasse
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Your Knowledge

 

Module 6 Index - Systems Archetypes

About This Module
• Module Description
• Learning Objectives
• Conceptual Model
• How to Go Through This Module
• Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• What Are Systems Archetypes?
• Archetype Family Tree
• Basic Stories
• Fixes That Backfire
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "Acme Inc."
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "If You Want it Bad, You'll Get it Bad"
  • Exercise: "Managing the E-mailbox"
  • Guidelines: Draw Your Own
• Shifting the Burden
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "Give a Man a Fish"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "Industry-Government Partnering"
  • Exercise: "Nobody But Me..."
  • Guidelines: Draw Your Own
• Limits to Success
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "The R&D Case"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "Smart Ship?"
  • Exercise: "Continuous Improvement"
  • Guidelines: Draw Your Own
• More Complex Stories
• Tragedy of the Commons
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "The New England Commons"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "IS Support"
  • Exercise: "Two Places at Once"
  • Guidelines: Draw Your Own
• Accidental Adversaries
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Example: "Working at Cross Purposes"
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: The Disjointed Joint Effort
  • Exercise: "Support or Sabotage"
  • Guidelines: Draw Your Own
• Escalation
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "Arms Race"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "Microchip Markets"
• Drifting Goals
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "Battle of the Bulge"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "Manufacturing Delivery Day"
• Success to the Successful
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "Teacher's Pet"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "Betting on a Sure Thing"
• Growth & Underinvestment
  • Generic Feedback Loop Diagram
  • Example: "WonderTech"
  • Typical Mental Models
  • Implications & Leverage Points
  • Example: "People Express"
• Classic Stories Summary
• Guidelines for Using Systems Archetypes
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Your Knowledge

 

Module 7 Index - The Steps in Systems Thinking

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • Conceptual Model
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• The Steps in Systems Thinking
• Applying the Steps of Systems Thinking
  • Step 1: State the Issue & Tell the Story
  • Step 2: Graph Performance Patterns Over Time
  • Step 3: Establish Creative Tension & Draft a Focusing Question
  • Step 4: Identify Structural Explanations
  • Step 5: Apply the Going Deeper Questions
  • Step 6: Plan an Intervention
  • Step 7: Assess the Results
• Exercise: The Plating Shop
  • Step 1: State the Issue & Tell the Story
  • Step 2: Graph Performance Patterns Over Time
  • Step 3: Establish Creative Tension & Draft a Focusing Question
  • Step 4: Identify Structural Explanations
  • Step 5: Apply the Going Deeper Questions
  • Step 6: Plan an Intervention
  • Step 7: Assess the Results
• Guidelines for Systems Thinking Presentations
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Test Your Knowledge

 

Module 8 Index - Systems Thinking on the Job

• About This Module
  • Module Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • Conceptual Model
  • How to Go Through This Module
  • Estimated Times to Complete Sections
• Systems Thinking Principles
• Systems Thinking On the Job
  • When to Use Systems Thinking
  • How to Use Systems Thinking
  • Beginner's Steps
• Systems Thinking and Change
• Other Applications & Resources
  • Flight Simulators
• Exercise: Planning Next Steps
• Module Summary
• Frequently Asked Question

 

• Overview
• Getting Started
• Course Syllabus
• Module 1: Why the Systems View?
• Module 2: Organizational Learning and Systems Thinking Framework
• Module 3: Systems Language
• Module 4: Planning Interventions
• Module 5: Mental Models and Productive Conversation
• Module 6: Systems Archetypes
• Module 7: The Steps in Systems Thinking
• Module 8: Systems Thinking on the Job
• Course Library