Introduction to Systems Thinking in Practice

This summer, I took a spontaneous leap into the (somewhat) unknown by signing up to study for a degree at The Open University, after having completed a couple of short courses the previous year that left me feeling inspired and intrigued. The first was the Lean Organisation Management course by Learning Curve. I took the course to improve my knowledge of business management and to update my CV. Although the study process itself may not have been the most engaging, I finished with an interest in the philosophies of improvement that could be applied to a variety of situations. I also enjoyed creating process diagrams, and thinking about how to improve information design for business and educational purposes.

The second short course was Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector on Coursera, taught by Jeanne M. Liedtka at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. I really enjoyed this course because I was able to apply some of the processes that I use in my design work, whilst learning how to expand those thinking processes to other real world situations. As part of my assessment, I had the opportunity to write up a project outline detailing how to find solutions for problems affecting my local community. That involved identifying stakeholders, creating an action plan for identifying issues affecting the stakeholders, and discovering tools to gather data, challenge my own assumptions about ‘what is’, and create prototypes for potential solutions.

In further research into methodologies for problem-solving and innovation technology, I became even more interested in developing my understanding and skills to solve big problems. Whilst looking up online courses, I came across Systems Thinking in Practice (STiP) at The Open University. Systems Thinking sounded like the answer to a lot of problems! A Master of Science certification can be attained on completion of several postgraduate modules, with core modules including Managing Change with Systems Thinking in Practice (TB872) and Making Strategy with Systems Thinking in Practice (TB871), as well as other modules that we could choose between. The planner side of me wants to select and plan my areas of study in advance, but I think a big part of the core modules will be about discovering our own practice. Although I have some rough ideas of how I might like to apply my learning, it will be exciting to find the path that calls to me as I learn more.

The module website for TB872 has just been released, with lots of useful information about course content, resources, study skills and the learning community. There are recommendations for studying that include keeping a journal of personal development during the course. The many benefits are listed in the module guide, and this has encouraged me to begin blogging my journey today. I will be starting with TB872 in November, and have decided to document the process, my learning and practice, in blog posts on my website which I am currently updating. It will be nice to have an online portfolio of not only my graphic design work, but also my professional development in this new direction.

Journaling will help you:

• to capture an issue or concept being presented to you
• to explain something in your own words
• capture your own initial thoughts about an issue or concept – so it’s a good idea to always have some form of journal close at hand to make those vital notes before the fleeting idea has gone
• to record your own initial thoughts about an issue or concept – so it’s a good idea to always have something close at hand to make those vital notes before the fleeting idea has gone
• to reconsider, challenge and possibly change your approach to managing change with STiP through critical assessment of your initial thoughts
• to appreciate what you have learned through your studies by providing a personal resource for revisiting key ideas that have struck a chord
• by providing an opportunity to let ideas incubate and, when returned to at a later date, providing new and sometimes insightful associations with other ideas either from this module, or from work, study or personal experiences
• to create a personal resource for revisiting key ideas that have struck a chord
• provide evidence of authentic communication (including reflexivity) that can be used in your TMA or EMA
• by providing a ready reference during your EMA preparation
• as a repository for all your activity and TMA answers

From The Open University module guide for TB872 (TMA = Tutor-Marked Assignment, EMA = End-of-Module Assessment)

I will aim to keep a record of what I learn from tutorials, books I read, online research, interesting concepts, practical experiences related to Systems Thinking, and changes in how I think and exist in the world. I have started reading books on Systems Thinking already, so that I can get a grasp on basic concepts and an idea of what STiP will entail. Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella Meadows was a good introduction to systems thinking / system analysis / system dynamics. It made me realise I will have a lot of reading to do. My main concern is that I may struggle with the mathematical element of system modelling, due to being more creatively inclined and humanities-focused in my academic and professional career. When I started reading the course textbooks Systems Practice: How to Act by Ray Ison and Systems Thinkers by Magnus Ramage & Karen Shipp, it was quite a relief to see that there is quite a philosophical, conceptual, even metaphysical, side to Systems Thinking that had not occurred to me. This will be fascinating to explore. I am also very interested in learning about the history of Systems Thinking and related areas of study such as cybernetics, biological sciences and environmental sustainability. Even if it breaks my brain, I want to know at least a little bit about economic modelling. The potential applications of systems thinking in so many situations is just so cool.

Overall, I am really excited to dive in and am looking forward to having my horizons expanded through the course material, real world application, and meeting other mature students from different backgrounds. I am usually quite a hermit because of chronic anxiety, but putting myself out into the world and giving myself useful things to do does tend to keep the chronic depression at bay… It will be a balancing act, probably very challenging, but the excitement is a great distraction. Doing something difficult is empowering. Every small achievement is a reminder that I am capable, and can be useful to the world. Working towards something gives me hope. I am challenging the part of me that wants to give up, by bringing to the forefront the part of me that never does.

It is an incredible privilege to be able to enter education again, to have a choice about what I study, have the time and resources to be able to study, and have people around me that support and encourage my development. It is also wonderful that The Open University provides additional support to students with disabilities, and so far it seems that the course material is quite accessible (aside from the level of study, and financial cost of studying). There are multiple ways to access and interact with course materials — physical and digital books are provided (wish I’d known they would send these before I bought used copies! Anyone want to buy the brand new ones??). There are transcripts for all videos accessed through our StudentHome accounts. It is made clear where content may be less accessible and alternative arrangements may need to be made. I am curious to see how my experience will be, as it will be my first time in formal education as a student with a disability. If it is appropriate, I will try to report on this experience, in case it is useful to others.

For now, I’ll get started with planning my study schedule as much as I can (at least so I don’t miss any important deadlines), and introducing myself to fellow students on the forums of The Open University. If you are studying Systems Thinking, or have done so in the past, I’d love to hear what your experience was like. Feel free to leave a comment, and share your thoughts and ideas below!