Systems Thinking Approach

The approach of systems thinking is fundamentally different from that of traditional forms of analysis. Traditional analysis focuses on separating the individual pieces of that which is being studied; the word "analysis" actually comes from the root meaning "to break into constituent parts." Systems thinking, in contrast, focuses on how the thing being studied interacts with the other constituents of the system - a set of elements that interact to produce behaviour - of which it is a part. This means that instead of isolating smaller and smaller parts of the system being studied, systems thinking works by expanding its view to take into account larger and larger numbers of interactions, as an issue is being studied. This results in, sometimes strikingly, different conclusions than those generated by traditional forms of analysis, especially when what is being studied is dynamically complex or has a great deal of feedback from other sources, internal or external.
The characteristics of systems thinking provides an it extremely effective approach to solving the most difficult types of problems: those involving complex issues, those that have a great deal of dependence on the past or on the actions of others, and those stemming from ineffective coordination among those involved. Examples of areas in which systems thinking has proven its value include:

• Complex problems that involve helping teams see the "big picture" and not just their part of it
• Problems whose solutions are not obvious
• Recurring problems or those that have been made worse by past attempts to fix them
• Issues where an action affects (or is affected by) the environment surrounding the issue, either the natural, competitive or economic environment

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