Systems thinking
From Envirowiki
Systems thinking is a method of re-considering a situation in terms of the whole system that it finds itself in, rather than just the situation itself. This allow the systems thinker to recognise problems they would otherwise miss.
Systems thinking methods include recognising feedback loops (including positive feedback, and balancing, or negative feedback), as well as realising the circular nature of reality (cause > effect(cause >effect, etc.), and being able to see delays in cause-effect relationships. It uses diagrams to find out how causes and effects interrelate.
Systems thinking is frequently used in business management, and is called the "fifth discipline" by Peter Senge[1]. The other disciplines of Senge's "Learning Organisation" are personal mastery (proficiency at being), mental models (realising assumptions),
[edit] References
- ↑ The Fifth Discipline, by Peter Senge
