email address solve complex problems
TRANSCRIPT
Design Thinking
The Six Systems Thinking Steps to
Solve Complex Problems� Ra�q Elmansy 6 Systems Thinking
A quick overview of common problem solving techniques indicates that most of
these methods focus on the problem rather than the whole eco-system where
the problem exists. Along with the challenges of global economy, problems turn
out to be more complicated and sometimes awakening problems. Climate
change, tra�c problems, and organizational problems that have developed
through the years are all complex problems that we shouldn’t look at the same
way as simple or linear problems. Part of the problem of thinking about a
complex problem is the way we approach it, which may contribute to making the
problem even more complex. As stated by Albert Einstein, “The problems cannot
be solved using the same level of thinking that created them.” Systems thinking
tends to focus on the broader ecosystem rather than the problem itself.
Systems thinking was developed by Jay Forrester and members of the Society for
Organizational Learning at MIT. The idea is described in his book, The Fifth
Discipline, as follows: “Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a
framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of
change rather than static ‘snapshots.’” A common example of the systems
thinking method is the life around us where multiple systems interact with each
other and are a�ected by each other. This wide perspective of systems thinking
promotes it to solve complex problems that are dependent on external factors.
Below are some of the stations that system thinking may contribute to solve.
Complex problems that involve di�erent factors, which require
understanding the big picture in order to be e�ciently solved
Don’t Miss Our Tips:
Follow Us
Email Address
Subscribe
Start Your Trial
ON ALL
YOUR DEVICES
! ¾
HOME ø DESIGN ø DESIGN THINKING CRITICAL THINKING USER EXPERIENCE INNOVATION
DESIGN TOOLS ø
�
Situations that are a�ecting, are being a�ected by, or a�ect the
surrounding systems
Problems that have turned more complicated by previous attempts to
solve them
Concepts of Systems Thinking
In order to understand systems thinking, a number of concepts should be
highlighted in order to de�ne the relation between the problem and the other
elements in the system and how to observe this relation in order to reach an
e�ective solution. These principles include the following.
All systems are composed of interconnected parts, and changing one
part a�ects the entire system, including other parts.
The structure of a system determines its behavior, which means that
the system depends on the connection between parts rather that the
part themselves.
System behavior is an emergent phenomenon. System behavior is
hard to predict due its continuously changing, non-linear relations and
its time delay. It can’t be predicted by simply inspecting its elements or
structure.
Feedback loops control a system’s major dynamic behavior. The
feedback loop is a number of connections causing an output from one
part to eventually in�uence input to that same part. The number of
feedback loops are larger than the system parts, which contributes to
increasing system complicity.
Complex social systems exhibit counterintuitive behavior. Solving
complex problems can’t be achieved through everyday problem solving
methods. They can be solved only through analytical methods and
tools. Solving complex problems can be achieved through systems
thinking, a process that �ts the problem, and system dynamics, which
is an approach to model systems by emphasizing their feedback loops.
Systems Thinking in Six Steps
In their paper Six Steps to Thinking Systemically, Michael Goodman and Richard
Karash introduced six steps to apply systems thinking principles while solving
complex problems. These steps were part of their case study to Bijou Bottling
company’s problem of getting their orders shipped on time.
Set 1: Tell the Story
The �rst step in solving the problem is to understand it, and this can be achieved
through looking deeply at the whole system rather than individual parts. This
step requires meeting with the stakeholders to share their vision about the
situation. One of the common tools to build this understanding is to utilize
Concept Maps, which are graphical tools used to represent the organization or a
structure of knowledge. Concept Maps visually present the system’s elements,
concept links, proposition statements, cross-links, and examples.
Start Your Trial
ON NEWS THAT SETS
THE AGENDA
Example of concept map (source: Carnegie Million University)
Step 2: Draw Behavior Over Time (BOT) Graphs
When thinking about a problem, we are in�uenced with the current situation
that is re�ected in our analysis, yet the problem follows a time dimension, which
means that it should be tracked through the time. The Behavior Over Time graph
draws a curve that presents a speci�c behavior (Y) through the time (X). This
graph helps us to understanding whether or not the current solution is e�ective.
Start Your Trial
GET AUSTRALIA'S BEST
BUSINESS INSIGHT
Ready To U
Helpdesk
Ad Freshdesk
3 Plants Re
Deep Fat
Ad LCR Health
How to Cre
System Thi
designorate.com
Work aroun
schedule
Ad deliveroo.com
IBM Design
Thinking M
designorate.com
What Does
Systems Th
designorate.com
The Six Hat
Critical Thin
designorate.com
Creative Pr
Solving: Ho
designorate.com
A Guide to
SCAMPER.
designorate.com
Ideation in
Thinking: T
designorate.com
ProblemSo
Using Caus
designorate.com
Design Thin
Case Study
designorate.com
Design Thin
Tools: Reve
designorate.com
Observing the system using the BoT chart indicates that crisis management
cost increased over time, while production/distribution e�ciency decreased
(source: Michael Goodman and Richard Karash).
Step 3: Create a Focusing Statement
At this point, there should be a clear vision about the problem solving process,
which is de�ned in the from of a statement that indicates the team’s target and
why the problem occurs.
Step 4: Identify the Structure
After having clear vision about the problem through the proposed statement, the
system structure should be described, including the behavior patterns. Building
these patterns helps in understanding more about the problem, and it can be
formed as a system archetype.
Step 5: Going Deeper into the Issues
After de�ning the problem and the system structure, this step tends to
understand the underlying problems through clarifying four items: the purpose
of the system (what we want), the mental models, the large system, and personal
role in the situation.
Set 6: Plan an Intervention
The previously collected information is used to start the intervention phase,
where modi�cations to the current problem relate parts to connections. This
intervention attempts to reach the desirable behavior.
Shop Related Products
Ads by Amazon
Thinking in
Systems: A Primer
$11.01 $19.95
(301)
Systems Thinking
Made Simple: New
Hope fo…
$49.99
(19)
An Introduction to
General Systems
Th…
$33.95
(22)
Systems Thinking
for Business:
Capitalize …
$14.99
(17)
The Heroic “11th Hour” crisis e�orts presents the solution for Bijoucompany rather the the improvement and redesigning e�orts on the long
run(source: Michael Goodman and Richard Karash).
Practice Example of SystemsThinkingOne of the direct examples of adopting the systems thinking method waspresented by Daniel Aronson highlighting insects who caused damage crops.Traditional thinking to solve crop damage is to apply more pesticides to reducethe number of insects and subsequently reduce the crop damage. However, thissolution solves the problem for a short term. In the long run, the problem isn’ttruly solved, as the original insect eating the crops are controlling the populationof another species of insect in the environment either by preying on it orcompeting with it. Subsequently, the crop damage increases again due to theincreasing numbers of other insect species.
Reducing the number of insects A contributes reducing the crop damage on
the short run, yet it causes increase in insect B numbers, which causes
increasing crop damage in the future (source: source: Michael Goodman
and Richard Karash)
Observing the ecosystem that includes both the insects and the crops, systems
thinking suggests exploring a solution that ensures reducing the crop damage in
the long run without a�ecting the environmental balance, such as deploying the
Integrated Pest Management that has proven success based on MIT and the
National Academy of Science. This solution tends to control the number of an
insect species by introducing its predators in the area.
Unlike everyday problems, complex problems can’t be solved using traditional
problem solving methods due to the nature of the problems and their
complexity. One of the theories that attempts to understand complex problems
is systems thinking, which is de�ned by a number of characters. Six steps are to
be used to explore and solve complex problems under the umbrella of systems
thinking, which help us to observe and think in a whole eco-system rather than
individual parts. Systems thinking can be deployed in multiple domains to solve
organization problem, or global problems such as energy, pollution, and poverty.
What Does theSystems ThinkingTeach us About theProblems ofProblem-SolvingPractice
Design SchoolsShould TeachSystems Thinkingand This is Why
Ra�q Elmansy
Ra�q Elmansy is the founder of Designorate.com, author, and designand innovation consultant. He is an a�liated faculty teaching designat the American University in Cairo. He holds a master degree inDesign Management with Distinction from Sta�ordshire University,
UK. He has more than 17 years experience in the �eld of UXD and interaction design,and his books are published by John Wiley, O’Reilly Media and Taylor and Francis. Heis also a contributor at the Design Management Review. Ra�q is a jury board memberfor the A'Design Awards, Poster for Tomorrow, and Adobe Achievements Awards. Hisdesign artwork was exhibited in many locations including Croatia, South Africa, Brazil,and Spain.
ŏ You May Also Like
CHARLES & KEITH
Ad CHARLES & KEITH
The Six Hats of CriticalThinking and How toUse Them
designorate.com
Bitcoin Beginner'sGuide
Ad Money Morning
Design Thinking Tools:Reverse Brainstorming
designorate.com
OpenTable Reservations
Ad OpenTable
ProblemSolving UsingCause and EffectDiagram
designorate.com
Creative ProblemSolving: How to TurnChallenges into...
designorate.com
6 Steps for EffectiveCritical Thinking
designorate.com
Practice Guide to Run a GoogleDesign Sprint3 comments • 2 years ago
Rhonda Page — I haven't tried a design
sprint yet but I just love the idea. It has
so many applications beyond digital.
10 Online Mind Mapping Tools forDesigners1 comment • 2 years ago
Amish Thakur — Hi,Impressive post.No
doubts, the above mentioned mind
mapping softwares are quite good. But I
Co-Creation: Placing the Consumerin the Heart of the Open Innovation1 comment • 2 years ago
Hossam Elhussiny — Wow
Why Design Education in the MiddleEast Doesn’t Meet the Market Needs1 comment • 2 years ago
ritasue — If this was really considered
important enough, the governments of
each country involved should put
ALSO ON DESIGNORATE
1 Comment Designorate Login1
Share⤤ Sort by Best
LOG IN WITH OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS
Join the discussion…
?
• Reply •
Misi Isaac • 2 years ago
"Systems thinking was developed by Jay Forrester and members of the Society
for Organizational Learning at MIT. The idea is described in his book, The Fifth
Discipline, as follows:" Peter Senge is the author of The Fifth Discipline
1△ ▽
Subscribe✉ Add Disqus to your siteAdd DisqusAddd Privacy�
Recommend
Share ›
Copyright © 2018 Designorate. All rights reserved. Theme: ColorMag by . Powered by .