Discussion

  Sharon I would say that probably one of the most important aspects of systems thinking that I am taking away from this class is just how systems work in general. Before this class, I would always look at the whole picture and not the parts. I think that this is important for all of us to understand because by looking at the parts of the system, we are able to make more accurate and effective decisions. When looking at the parts of what make up a system, we have to use much of what we learned. For example, how systems work and are effective is greatly based on leverage points, system design, and strategic planning. We have to understand how each of these work within the system. We have to understand which leverage point we are focusing on in order to identify the system design and develop a strategic plan based on how our system will operate best and generate the best results. I think that by understanding the difference between complexity and chaos will help me to better understand where to identify the voids in a system (chaos), and how to see the relationship of different parts of the system (complexity). I think that knowing the differences and how they work together will help me to grow professionally because I can look at systems from the "outside" by breaking them down, seeing what needs to be fixed, and offering an educated solution. I can't really say that there is anything that remains unanswered to me. The only challenge that I would find in systems thinking is people or organizations unwillingness to change. I may know how to make the changes or at least take an approach to change, but how to you encourage other people to change their systems thinking if they do not know how to look at systems the same way that we have been taught throughout this course? Monica This class has literally opened my eyes to see the "big picture." Before this class, systems thinking did occur in my thought process, but I'm not certain to what extent. The most important aspect of system thinking that I am taking away are leverage points and system thinking in itself. Leverage points are "small systematic changes that can make a large shift in a system." (Meadows, 2008). Learning to identify those changes can help prevent undesirable system changes or in reverse, serve to make dramatic changes that can improve a system. When I say system thinking in itself, I mean the whole process of it. I didn't know formally what system thinking was before this class. I understand now how systems thinking effects governments and organizations, as well as, personal life. When opening your eyes to see how everything is interconnected and how one thing can effect the other, then you become more aware of how a system can go awry. Systems have a purpose or end goal, learning different aspects allows getting to the goal. Whether it is feedback loops that stabilize or resist change, leverage points, or a complete paradigm shift, eventually, they all come together for a common purpose. My understandings of systems thinking, complex systems, and chaos theory will help me grow professionally because I will be able to recognize why certain things are happening rather than becoming frustrated when a change comes about that isn't familiar to me. These theories will help me identify what the problem is and what steps to take to try and fix it. Currently, I do not have any unanswered questions about these three theories but I do not where to look now and what to look for if a question comes about.     Katherine "So, what is a system? A system is a set of things--people, cells, molecules, or whatever--interconnected in such a way that they produce their own pattern of behavior over time. The system may be buffeted, constricted, triggered, or driven by outside forces. But the system's response to these forces is characteristic of itself, and that response is seldom simple in the real world." ( Meadows ) I believe that I have learned so much especially on how certain system operate and how we should view them. Prior to this course I wasn't family with how systems operated and their meaning. I also didn't really understand leverage points until taking this course. system thinking has widen my knowledge, it influences me to evaluate the circumstance think fundamentally, include individuals who are influenced, and get ready for change once I have every one of the information. This information and what has been taught to us has changed how I do my work at my current job as well. Kelli The most important concept of systems thinking that I am taking away from this class includes the illustration of leverage points, specifically the importance of their order. According to Meadows, leverage points are points of power; places in a system where a small change can result in a large shift in behavior of the system as a whole (2008). The ordering of leverage points is significant because some of them have the potential to create an even greater change within a system than others. For example, Meadows tells us that paradigms and transcending paradigms have more influence on changing a system that even information flows, which most would agree are imperative in a successful system. Professionally, I feel that better understanding of systems, complexity and chaos concepts will help me grow professionally in that I will not fear the unknown, and I will better recognize chaos and understand that this is where change happens (Krahe, n.d.), making it a powerful place for the right staff to be placed. Additionally, I can take with me a better understanding of the connectedness that occurs within complexity in an organization, and find ways to foster the connectivity among staff and departments within my organization. One item that leaves me wondering regarding systems thinking is when some parts of a system are affected by a leverage point, but others are not. How will this affect the system as a whole? How can I create change in the areas that are unaffected (whether by design, choice, or unintentional circumstances)? What are the best ways to identify the most efficient and effective leverage points within my organization?