Systems Thinking Demystified

Course details

It is often said that the majority of today's problems are the direct result of yesterday's solutions. It is evident from the current state of things around us that we're not nearly as good at dealing with problems as we could or should be. Typically our actions to address problems simply end up making the situation worse, or result in unintended consequences which present themselves as additional problems that have to be dealt with. Often it seems like we're playing Whack-a-Mole Problem Solving. One might say that when it comes to dealing with situations we're the poster children for Pogo's "We have met the enemy and he is us!" It is possible to be far more effective at dealing with situations. In this course you will learn how to...

• Uncover the patterns of behavior leading up to the problem you're trying to figure out how to deal with,
• Understand the underlying structure responsible for the patterns of behavior,
• Develop an appreciation for the mental models of the stakeholders that are responsible for the underlying structure,
• Develop a sound approach to addressing the situation based on the understanding you have developed,
• Intentionally avoid making matters worse or creating new problems in the process.

Additionally you will develop an awareness of the real simplicity of systems thinking and in the future not be burdened by all the complicated and confusing rhetoric that has come to be know as systems thinking.