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Part three systems complexity

 Part three systems complexity Understanding the behaviour of complex systems In this part of the book we explore system complexity in greater detail. In Chapter 8 we use the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator as the backbone to introduce systems dynamics as a method for modelling and understanding complex systems. It focuses on highlighting the behavioural dynamics within a system including unintended consequences of decisions and interventions. In the penultimate section, using the knowledge from previous sections, you are guided to use the En-ROADS simulator to understand the climate change problem and develop your own solution. In Chapter 9 we explore the ever-changing nature of complex systems by exploring the levers or leverage points in complex systems that can influence and change the behaviour of the entire system. We introduce different types of levers, specifically structural levers, temporal levers, conceptual levers and boundary levers, and give examples of how they ...
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Systems thinking in group decision making

 In previous chapters we gradually built understanding of complexity and complex systems, and what makes improving them so difficult. When multiple participants/stakeholders are involved, but at the same time can add additional levels of complexity. In Chapter 6 we introduced methods used for analyzing systems, specifically causal loop diagrams. In this chapter we will focus on using causal mapping as a more specific technique that stems from causal loop diagrams. In modern organizations there are a number of trends. First, we need to inclusive and ensure that everyone is involved in significant decisions. Second, the world we live in is becoming increasingly dynamic and uncertain; thus, we need to be able to make decisions fast in response to changes and ensure that everyone is involved in these decisions. Systems thinking provides us with a set of tools that enables group decision making. In this chapter we will demonstrate its use for strategy making/formulation as an example to...
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Soft systems thinking

 Soft  systems thinking In the previous chapters we have introduced what a system is, developed various concepts and definitions that underpin systems thinking, and introduced a number of complementary, commonly cited systems thinking models and frameworks providing different perspectives to systems. In the previous chapter we elaborated further on the earlier discussion of hard and soft systems introduced in Chapter 2, and went on to develop hard systems thinking and introduce a number of techniques for modelling hard systems. As a reminder, our earlier definitions of hard and soft systems were as follows: .Hard system: a system consisting of high-integrity parts that are connected through well-understood interaction patterns producing predictable behaviours. .Soft system: a system consisting of autonomous parts that are characterized by high variability and unpredictable behaviours and connected through a loosely defined dynamic web of relationships, power structures, shared...
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