In more detail
Systems Thinking is a way of understanding complex things by looking at the links and interactions between parts and systems rather than studying those parts in isolation from each other. Instead of breaking something down into its parts in order to understand how each might work, systems thinkers try to identify patterns and cycles in the way parts relate to each other. So, for example, systems thinking could involve:
- Taking a step back from something to see the ‘big picture’ – like seeing what things make by how they fit together rather than trying to understand every individual piece of a puzzle
- Looking at how things might behave over time – like seeing things as a moving film rather than relying on snapshots of them. Spotting trends and directions being taken.
- Looking for patterns - asking what else a thing looks like.
- Looking to see how change affects the things that caused it and not expecting change to carry on at the same rate
- Understanding that the angle you look at something from changes how it looks. Consciously looking at things from different points of view
- Looking for pressure points – critical times and places where a relatively small effort could lead to big improvements or changes in the way the system works
- Distinguishing between stocks and flows of resources – not just seeing how much there is of something, but asking what it is for.
- Distinguishing between ‘hard’ systems (easily measurable things like structures) and ‘soft’ systems (hard to predict things like human behaviours) and understanding that the two continually interact.
- Seeing ‘infrastructure’ not just in terms of physical things – like roads and railways – but also in terms of social infrastructure – made up of links and interactions between people.
A systems view of urban neighbourhoods suggests that community planning of them should be effective: it enables different points of view and consideration of soft systems which tend to be ignored by expert-led planning. To be effective, however, neighbourhood planning needs to be holistic and focus on the links and interactions between people and physical structures.
| Key Facts:
Systems thinking is an approach to understanding and imporving complex things which feature a lot of inter relationships - like neighbourhoods. Using a systems thinking approach can make it easier to spot patterms and key aspects of the neighbourhood which need attention. Community planning is well suited to a systems approach. |
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BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY PLANNING TOOLKIT DEFINITION SHEET This sheet may be reproduced in paper or electromic or any other form but please mention it was made by Chamberlain Forum Limited for Birmingham City Council supported by Department for Communities and Local Government.
| created: 2016-07-16 14:32:21 | by: admin | status: f published |