What is Systems Thinking?

Lets face it: we all live in the world of systems. This simple fact is not so trivial. Everybody knows that an airplane is the system. But how many people think that when they fly in this airplane, they actually the part of airplane system? Not much, I believe, but they are. Why this fact is so important? Cause that’s how  systems thinking starts working on us: when we realize that everything and everyone are the part of the game, we could find the solution for the most complicated problems by understanding the reactions between system’s components.
So what is Systems Thinking? It is an approach to analysis that is based on the belief that the component parts of a system will act differently when isolated from its environment or, in other words, it is about gaining insights into the whole by understanding the linkages and interactions between the elements that comprise the whole “system”.

There are three most important statements the system approach is lying on:

  1. Human activity systems are open systems; therefore, they are affected by the environment in which they exist.
  2. Complex systems consist of many sub-systems and parts; therefore, small catalytic events can cause large changes in the system.
  3. change in one area of a system can adversely affect another area of the system; thus, it promotes organizational communication at all levels in order to avoid the chaos.

So what that means? Once we break the complex problem to small parts and understand the connections and interactions between the systems elements (of course, if we did it right), we could solve it, and more than that, we could forsee and influence the further whole system’s development.
For many years,  systems thinking was the privilege of big bosses who rule this world and see the whole picture. But today, when getting information easier then ever, it is time to think big for everyone.

And what’s on practice? Systems thinking will help you:

  • to solve most complicated problems;
  • to make right decisions;
  • to see and to understand the “whole picture”;
  • to forsee events and other people’s actions;
  • to find your place in this life;
  • to stop worrying and to succeed.

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