Spark 23 – How to think more strategically: Systems Thinking: Example

To develop the skill of systems thinking in strategic planning, follow these steps:

1. Understand the concept: Begin by thoroughly understanding what systems thinking entails – recognising patterns, interdependencies and the dynamics within complex systems.
2. Identify key elements: In any strategic scenario, identify all key elements – stakeholders, processes, resources – and how they interact.
3. Map the system: Create visual maps of these elements and their relationships to understand the broader system and potential leverage points.
4. Analyse patterns and trends: Look for recurring patterns and trends within the system. This can reveal underlying structures and inform more-effective strategies.
5. Consider long-term implications: Evaluate the potential long-term impacts of strategic decisions within the system, moving beyond immediate effects.
6. Encourage team learning: Foster a culture of learning and exploration within the team, encouraging everyone to think in terms of systems.
7. Apply and iterate: Regularly apply systems thinking to strategic challenges and refine your approach based on feedback and results.

By methodically practising these steps, you will enhance your ability to apply systems thinking to your strategic planning, ensuring a more holistic, informed and effective approach to tackling complex challenges.

How to think more strategically: try these tools

Developing skill in systems thinking can be done using the following methods:

• Gaming & simulation: Games like Pandemic or digital platforms like SimCity and Civilization are designed around complex systems. Playing such games can help cultivate an intuitive understanding of systems dynamics, feedback loops and emergent behaviours.

• Ecological immersion: Immersing oneself in nature, such as forest bathing or permaculture farming, offers a direct experience of interdependence and systems dynamics. Nature is the original complex system, and understanding its nuanced relationships can inform our understanding of man-made systems.

• Improvisational theatre: Engaging in improv exercises or joining an improv group can foster an appreciation for immediate feedback, adaptation and interconnected storytelling—all of which are central to systems thinking.

• Interactive system modelling platforms: Tools like Wolfram’s SystemModeler or NetLogo allow for the creation of complex system models. They offer a more hands-on, experimental approach for those who want to build and test system models iteratively.

• Dialectical behavioural thinking: This method encourages looking at opposites and understanding how they can co-exist in a system. It’s about reconciling and balancing seemingly conflicting views, similar to the yin-yang philosophy.

• Cultural exchange or travel: Engaging deeply with another culture – its norms, structures and social contracts – offers insights into alternative societal systems. This can lead to greater understanding of systems dynamics and adaptability.