SYSTEMS THINKING RESOURCES
WHAT IS A “SYSTEM”
What is a "System"
The word system in modern society most often causes to think of computer systems or mechanical systems. And those are definitely systems, but they are not the systems we want to focus on when bringing about change in our organizations, relationships, neighborhoods or societies.
We like to the definition of a systems by Peter Senge, who defines a system as an interconnected and interdependent set of elements that work together to produce a certain behavior or outcome.
In his book "The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization," Senge describes systems as having feedback loops, boundary conditions, and a holistic nature.
He emphasizes that in order to effectively understand and change a system, one must look at it as a whole and consider the relationships between its various elements.
So rather than the cold, mechanical idea of a system, we encourage you to consider the systems you are a part of and the systems you are trying to influence into changing, as webs of interdependence. For most of us, our earliest experience of such a system is our family. Often families have such intricate systems of interdependence that it is hard to see how one action led to another, led to a mindset or habit, led to outcomes.
Systems thinking is a discipline with methods and tools that can help us see the web of interdependencies between thought, feelings, actions, and repetitive behaviors. And once we are able to see them or map them, we are better able to know where to intervene to bring about change in the most sustainable way possible.