Systems

#What is a system

Systems are bounded. Many things can draw the boundaries. Boundaries define who we think influences a system. Systems are nested - scale matters. Micro, meso, macro

One way to consider a system is through [[Complexity]].

#Types of system

There are simple, complicated and complex systems. They can be understood through this framework:

Understanding of the problem Utility of the rules Outcome Expertise Success

This is adapted from Getting to maybe: how the world has changed (Westley, Zimmerman and Patton, 2006)

#Features of complex systems

• Non linear (Effects not proportional to scale of change)
• Feedback loops (Parts in relationship become reinforcing)
• Resilient (Snaps back from changes or external forces)
• Purpose (Organisation of the system works together)
• Delays (effects may not be immediate)
• Self-organising (organising from apparent randomness into patterns)
• Emergent (Patterns as consequence of many parts interacting)
• Adaptive (capable of learning from feedback and reacting to changes in context)
• Scale (patterns are replicated at different scales)

#Characteristics of complex systems

• Unpredictable - Non-linearity means changes in one part cause changes in distant others
• Unknowable - No single person can know the whole system
• Unsolvable - attempts at change are absorbed into status quo

#Systemic change

Intentionally nudging, changing, influencing and incentivising systems to work better for people, places and communities.

The emergence of a new pattern of organisation or structure.

Addresses root causes - deep structures underlying patterns of the system that can hold a problem in place.

'The waters of system change' is a paper that discusses six conditions of systems change. These range from explicit - policies, practices, resource flows, semi-explicit - relationships & connections, power dynamics, to implicit - mental models.

It is not a change in a part in isolation, but a change in a relationship between parts to create a different dynamic.

There are nested scales of systemic change:

• Transformative change - fundamental shift of status quo by altering elemental form and function of a system (long-term, uncoordinated, multi-actor processes)
• Emergent change (ongoing, evolving, cumulative)

Emergent leads to transformative.

#Working adaptively to affect system change

• Identify the desired future state (better outcomes for people)
• Identify signals (hints the system is shifting)
• Affirm our leverage point is in service of this future state. Check assumptions!
• Continuous experimentation through a portfolio of experiments (real world testing)
• Monitoring change signals
• Reflect, learn and adapt (real time adjustment)