Systems thinking
Systems thinking is a powerful approach for tackling complex, interconnected problems. By examining how the elements of a system interact, it helps us see the bigger picture and identify leverage points for change. Unlike reductionist methods, systems thinking emphasises inter-relationships, diverse perspectives, and clear boundaries.
This approach is particularly effective for addressing wicked problems—those that no single actor or viewpoint can solve alone. As complex systems are always evolving, systems thinking fosters organisational and social learning, making it a key component of adaptive management and transformative change.
Start exploring with An introduction to systems thinking and systemic design, which provides a practical framework for applying these principles in decision-making. Below, you’ll find key resources, guides, and tools to help integrate systems thinking into your practice.
Key resources on systems thinking
Systems Thinking and Practice: A Guide to Concepts, Principles and Tools
This 2023 guide by Jim Woodhill and Juliet Millican offers an insight into the theoretical foundations, conceptual frameworks and facilitation tools for adopting a systems mindset and putting it into practice. It reminds us that our decision-making, governance and organisational cultures need to shift from the false security of linear, disciplinary and reductionist ways of thinking and working. Without systems thinking we risk constant cycles of reacting to immediate crises in fragmented ways, while failing to understand and deal with the root causes of the issues at hand. The guide explores what this implies for working practices, business processes and leadership. It also offers links to additional resources and tools on systems thinking.
Developing a systems thinking guide
This 2023 short guide by Michelle Irving and colleagues aims to inform and support prevention researchers seeking to incorporate systems thinking into their research planning and development to improve knowledge mobilisation and, thus, the impact of their research. Although designed to support researchers to apply the principles of systems thinking to improve their knowledge mobilisation practices and ultimately the impact of their work, this guide could also be used when intervening in a system, for example by policy practitioners. The final systems thinking guide has been organised into four categories that address system goals, core beliefs, relationships, and resources to effectively change the system.
Working with Change: Systems approaches to public sector challenges
This 2017 report by OECD’s Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate explores the theory and practice behind the use of systems approaches in tackling public challenges. Part 1 addresses the need for systems thinking in the public sector, its theoretical underpinnings and why it has not been widely used in the public sector. Part 2 identifies a set of tactics – people & place, dwelling, connecting, framing, designing, prototyping, stewarding and evaluating – that can be deployed by government agencies either unilaterally or with partners to work toward systems change. The third part provides an in-depth examination of systemic change case studies.
Leverage points: Places to intervene in a system
This classic article by Donella Meadows looks at the nine key leverage points where systems can be changed.
Overview of systems thinking
This short article by Daniel Aronson illustrates what systems thinking is using an integrated pest management example. Another short introduction can be found in Systems Thinking “in 25 Words or Less” by Debra Lyneis talking about primary and secondary schools.
Applications in sustainability and public policy
Systems Thinking: An introduction
This 2015 brief by Kimberly Bowman and colleagues introduces the concept of ‘systems thinking’ in the context of international development. Systems thinking encourages practitioners to understand and analyse the contexts within which they operate, and to design programmes that can adapt as conditions on the ground change. It helps practitioners to bring together many different stakeholders – especially those with radically different backgrounds and perspectives – to identify problems and solutions to challenges, increasing the possibility of transformational change.
Systems thinking: Unlocking the Sustainable Development Goals
This 2016 post by Stephanie Draper reminds us that successfully delivering the SDGs will require a really strong systems approach. She suggests that for organisations that means operating on three levels – joining up with others’ efforts to achieve individual goals; looking at the inter-relationships between all the goals; and finally delivering the goals in a way that models the characteristics we need for a sustainable society.
Tackling wicked problems : A public policy perspective
This 2012 discussion paper put out by the Australian Public Service Commission explores the characteristics of wicked problems and the challenges they pose for the traditional approaches and skills sets of policy makers. Although developing effective ways to tackle wicked problems is an evolving art, this paper identifies some of the main ingredients that seem to be required.
Some introductory system concepts and tools
Introduction to systems thinking
This page introduces Daniel Kim’s useful introduction to systems thinking. You can download the full introduction which aims to give you the language and tools you need to start applying systems thinking principles and practices in your own organization.
Learn about systems thinking
These pages from the Australian Partnership Prevention Centre provides a selection of resources for those wanting to learn more about systems thinking, from the beginner to those who are already using systems thinking in their research and work.
Systems archetypes
This Daniel Kim guide reprint reviews nine systems archetypes (patterns of behaviour of a system). Each archetype tends to highlight a “classic problem story” which occurs frequently and is present in many everyday situations, from the individual to the international level. As diagnostic tools they provide insight into the underlying structures from which behavior over time and discreet events emerge. (See also the ISEE guide – Applying Systems Thinking and Common Archetypes to Organizational Issues). A more recent 2017 post from Leyla Acaroglu reminds us that there are also some positive social archetypes in systems dynamics.
Systems thinking: a means to understand our complex world
This paper by Linda Booth Sweeney introduces systems, system behavior and systems concepts. She then introduces some key concepts around levels, feedback loops and temporal delays.
Courses in systems thinking
Open University – Systems thinking (free courses)
This Open University page provides a guide to all their free course offerings that explore systems as a subject in its own right, and subjects which can be understood through the application of systems thinking. You could start by checking out course introductions for Systems thinking and practice, Mastering Systems Thinking in Practice, or Systems diagramming. Other courses look more specifically at systems modelling, IT systems and learning. Another set of courses look more specifically at the use of systems concepts in helping manage the environment, sustainability, complexity.
More information on tools and methodologies to implement systems thinking can be found through the linked LfS pages on systemic design, systems thinking tools and conceptual modelling. You may also be interested in related pages such as supporting constructive practice change, and particularly the page on strategic planning.
