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      Is there a way to practice Systems Thinking?

      Our step-wise advice on how to develop your practice of systems thinking and become really good at it.

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      We get this question a lot. Is there a way to practice Systems Thinking? Short answer...Yes! Below we have listed a few of the steps we would suggest based on over two decades of teaching people systems thinking.

      For example, we've seen that people come at Systems Thinking (ST) from three use-cases: (1)  a personal mastery (self-development), (2) professional mastery, and/or (3) organizational leadership. Depending on which one is your use-case, you can target your learning.

      We've found that a great way to get started is to develop a baseline of your Systems Thinking skills and attitudes, so that you can revisit it and see your progress. We developed a validated personal inventory instrument so that you can do this.

      We have also found that a few introductory concepts are necessary so we've developed accessible introductory free resources and materials like books and training to build your baseline knowledge. But introductory concepts are not enough, it also requires some daily practice. So...

      We've also found that people get a lot out of small "daily doses" and a "community of learners" so we've developed online groups for Systems Thinking Daily and provide steps for daily practice.

      We have also seen that when people purposefully memorize a few of the most basic concepts up front, it helps increase their learning. We have provided a memorization cheat sheet for this purpose.

      We've seen that what we call "jigs" and "sliders" can be an effective way for people to ground their practice in tangible examples that they can use right away.

      Finally, we've seen that when people take one or two ideas and practice them for one week in everyday settings, their learning increases exponentially. We've created a four week "adoption" program (with suggestions) so that you can get started building a daily practice.

       

      Below we have listed 6 steps we would suggest:

      Step 1 should be performed first...

                Steps 3 and 4 items can occur in parallel after completion of Step 2aiii...

                          Step 5 should be done after Steps 1-4 are completed.

      1. Do a self assessment: Figure out how you want to apply systems thinking to yourself or your organization or both?
        1. Decide if you are interested in systems thinking for individual use or organizational use, or both? E.g., Do you mostly want to use systems thinking for your own personal development, or do you need to develop professional skills and help to drive change or lead in your organization?
          1. If individual, choose Route 1.
          2. If professional, choose Route 2.
          3. If both, choose Route 2.
      2. Get informed. We’ve found that establishing a baseline by getting informed about the basics is essential to being able to start practicing. These resources and steps will get you ready.
        1. Route 1. 
          1. Take the Systems Thinking Personal Inventory (STMI) (30m)
          2. Watch the 12-min documentary (12m)
          3. Sign up for Systems Thinking Daily (on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn).  (1m)
          4. Read Systems Thinking Made Simple  (~3hr)
          5. Take the short, online LinkedIn Systems Thinking Course   (45m)
          6. Enroll in online ST101 and SM201 (~8hr)
        2. Route 2. Do all of Route 1 and also:
          1. Watch the short VMCL amoeba video (3m)
          2. Read Flock Not Clock (~3hr)
          3. Enroll in SL301 (~6hr)
      3. Commit these to memory [for Route 1 or 2]: We have found that when people commit a few basics to memory, it makes the learning process smoother in other areas. All of the items below can be found in this slides presentation and easily memorized. (10m)
        1. Memorize the 5 crucial terms of the ST Loop 
        2. Memorize the 3 terms for Mental Models and their synonyms
        3. Memorize the DSRP Table of 4 Patterns and 8 Elements
        4. [Route 2 only] Memorize the four organizational functions (VMCL) the 4 Learning definitions 
      4. Try our 4-week Adoption Program [for Route 1 or 2]: Each week for four weeks you adopt the following (use a dry erase marker to map it on your mirror). (a few minutes a day)
        1. Week 1: Identity-Other Distinctions (Dio) Week
          1. Adopt the Dio-rule (Use mirror technique and draw it on your mirror) and then as you walk around informally apply the pattern to everything you see and experience. 
          2. Read What are jigs? Then, adopt any jig from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. If you’d like a suggestion try Lists.
          3. Read What is a slider? Then, adopt any slider from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. If you’d like a suggestion try Thinkings & Feelings.
          4. Teach a friend: The absolute best way to learn is to teach. Teach a friend the Dio-Rule or about your jig or slider for the week.
          5. Try visual/tactile mapping: As you get comfortable with the Dio-Rule just by walking around and seeing Dio’s, start to see if you can visually map or use objects to map the things you are seeing. This will solidify your learning. (You can use pen and pencil, whiteboard and marker, post its, M&Ms, or software like Plectica)
        2. Week 2: Part-Whole Systems (Spw) Week
          1. Adopt the Spw-rule (Use mirror technique and draw it on your mirror) and then as you walk around informally apply the pattern to everything you see and experience. 
          2. Adopt any jig from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. If you’d like a suggestion try Part Parties.
          3. Adopt any slider from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. We suggest Relationships sponsored by the Number 3.
          4. Teach a friend: The absolute best way to learn is to teach. Teach a friend the Spw-Rule or about your jig or slider for the week.
          5. Try visual/tactile mapping: As you get comfortable with the Spw-Rule just by walking around and seeing Spw’s, start to see if you can visually map or use objects to map the things you are seeing. This will solidify your learning. (You can use pen and pencil, whiteboard and marker, post its, M&Ms, or software like Plectica)
        3. Week 3: Action-reaction Relationships (Rar) Week
          1. Adopt the Rar-rule (Use mirror technique and draw it on your mirror) and then as you walk around informally apply the pattern to everything you see and experience. 
          2. Adopt any jig from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day.  If you’d like a suggestion try R-Channel.
          3. Adopt any slider from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. We suggest Integrity vs. Duplicity.
          4. Teach a friend: The absolute best way to learn is to teach. Teach a friend the Rar-Rule or about your jig or slider for the week.
          5. Try visual/tactile mapping: As you get comfortable with the Rar-Rule just by walking around and seeing Rar’s, start to see if you can visually map or use objects to map the things you are seeing. This will solidify your learning. (You can use pen and pencil, whiteboard and marker, post its, M&Ms, or software like Plectica)
        4. Week 4: Point-View Perspectives (Ppv) Week
          1. Adopt the Ppv-rule (Use mirror technique and draw it on your mirror) and then as you walk around informally apply the pattern to everything you see and experience. 
          2. Adopt any jig from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. We suggest P-Circles.
          3. Adopt any slider from this list (Draw it on your mirror) and incorporate it into your life by practicing it each day. We suggest People as Means vs. Ends.
          4. Teach a friend: The absolute best way to learn is to teach. Teach a friend the Ppv-Rule or about your jig or slider for the week.
          5. Try visual/tactile mapping: As you get comfortable with the Ppv-Rule just by walking around and seeing Ppv’s, start to see if you can visually map or use objects to map the things you are seeing. This will solidify your learning. (You can use pen and pencil, whiteboard and marker, post its, M&Ms, or software like Plectica)
      5. Decide next steps
        1. Consult with us about what some possible options are for furthering your practice. 
        2. See if you want to pursue advanced certification in STML500 or STML900