Systems Thinking
Our programs are research-based, results-driven, people-friendly
Duration 2 days
This workshop is aimed at simplifying the understanding of complex systems (not complicated systems) – working from system thinking about the organisation’s separate systems of operation towards the interaction, integration and alignment between systems that characterizes systems thinking.
Who would benefit?
Managers within the one organisation at mid to senior levels who see the need for systems to work - together. Increasingly, strategic planning is a shared exercise and the ability to understand and integrate systems is a key part of the thinking required at strategic levels within your organisation – no matter what its size. This workshop could serve as a preparation for the members and participants of the strategic planning team.
Objectives
At the end of the workshop, your delegates will have developed a clear map of your organisation’s systems and identified some of the ’formal’ and ‘accidentally evolved’ flags and feedback loops. They will have assessed some areas for greater integration – that are related to their areas of responsibilities, and discussed the importance of aligning and synchronizing system feedback with the strategic planning loop. This workshop works best if the two days are held one week or more apart to allow the delegates to investigate and report back on the organisation’s current systems and their recommendations for improvements. This task would require substantial temporary time allowance from regular responsibilities. An expected outcome of the workshop will be a series of recommendations for systems improvement, alignment, and synchronisation.
Key topics covered
- System thinking & systems thinking
- The role of ‘feedback’
- Unintended consequences
- Setting ‘flags’ (or ‘triggers’) - feedback - consequences
- Synchronisation and alignment of organisational systems
- Flexible and adaptable systems - E.g. emergent (quick response)
- Examples of systems thinking - E.g. strategic planning
- Risks of ‘overdoing’ systems - setting a balance
The extra mile
Part of this workshop program includes a four-hour session with the senior executive group to revisit systems thinking and provide an update on the latest research and practice in emergent strategic planning. This session will ensure that the workshop group’s report will be of maximum value to the Executive’s planning processes.
Venue: Typical numbers for this workshop are 5 to 20 delegates at a venue you select. We customize the workshop to suit your organisation and agree on performance measures with you.
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