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Systems thinking is a method of critical thinking by which the relationships between the system’s parts are analyzed in order to understand a situation for better decision-making.

Systems thinking can be used in any area of research. It contrasts with traditional analysis, which studies systems by breaking them down into their separate elements.

Five key concepts of systems thinking are:

  1. System behavior is an emergent phenomenon — How a system behaves cannot be determined by inspection of its parts and structure. The behavior dynamics of even a simple system is complex. Understanding this means never assuming one can observe a system and predict how it will behave.
  2. Systems are made up of inter-connected parts — Connections are responsible for one part impacting another. Likewise, a change to any part impacts the entire system.
  3. Feedback loops control a system’s primary dynamic behavior – A feedback loop is a series of connections causing output from one part to eventually influence input to that same part. Every part is involved in one or more feedback loops. Systems have more feedback loops than parts, which causes unimaginable complexity.
  4. System structure is responsible for its behavior – A system is organized by the pattern of part connections. This is structure. System behavior is much more dependent on connections than parts because that’s what determines how the parts work together.
  5. Complex social systemsshow counter intuitive behavior Only analytical methods using tools that fit the problem will solve difficult complex social system problems. The first such tool to adopt is true systems thinking. The second one is a process that fits the problem. The third one, unless it is an easy problem, is system dynamics.

Systems thinking has grown into wide spread use because it offers organizations a way to approach complex and persistent problems more effectively rather than taking shortsighted actions that often produce results ranging from none to disastrous.

It would appear more and more organizations are implementing systems thinking into their business model approach by shifting responsibility from managers and leaders trying to solve difficult problems alone to getting the entire organization involved.

Systems Thinking Training

Tonex offers a 2-day course, Systems Thinking Training, designed for students, business leaders, executives, strategic leaders and mid-level and senior managers. Systems Thinking Training helps participants develop the necessary skills to strategically use restricted sources for the best outcome. Systems thinking training presents three separate stages of learning:

  • Comprehending the system
  • Mapping the system
  • Taking action through the system

Why Choose Tonex?

–Reasonably priced classes taught by the best trainers is the reason all kinds of organizations from Fortune 500 companies to government’s most important agencies return for updates in courses and hands-on workshops

–Ratings tabulated from student feedback post-course evaluations show an amazing 98 percent satisfaction score.

Contact us for more information, questions, comments.

 

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