Some New Language of the Systems Thinking Approach
- Input — Throughput — Output — Feedback in the Environment (Four Phases of Systems Thinking
- A—B—C—D (The Four Phases in proper order; A = Output; B = Feedback; C = Input; D = Throughput)—It simplifies the mazes, chaos and messes we see; helps to see the forest and the trees
- Precondition #1: What entity are we dealing with
- The #1 and #2 Systems Questions: #1—Outcomes; #2—Feedback
- #3 Question: ESS (Environmental Scanning System
- Means/ends
- Multiple goal seeking
- Strategic consistency/operational flexibility
- Backwards thinking
- The whole is primary, parts secondary
- Synthesis vs. analysis is a new way of thinking
- Environment—Living Systems interact in a hierarchy; both always present
- Messes of problems vs. separate problems
- Feedback is the breakfast of champions
- Negative entropy or positive energy continuously into the system — feedback
- Begin with the end in mind
- Get outside the 9 Dots
- Relationships/fit are key — processes are important; not events/units
- Causes — effects
• Are circular — not one way
• Are not related in time/space
- Simplistic, quick fixes do not work!
- Causal Loops make things better and better—or worse and worse
- Seven Levels of Living Systems (especially, #3—individual; #4—team; #5— organization; #6—society; #7—earth
- KISS Method—reduces complexity, rigidity, bureaucracy and death
- 5 “Whys”—to reach the true/final outcomes/benefits
- General Systems Theory
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