{"id":3198,"date":"2021-10-18T12:11:37","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T12:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/?page_id=3198"},"modified":"2022-01-17T12:12:10","modified_gmt":"2022-01-17T12:12:10","slug":"introduction-to-ten-steps","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/introduction-to-ten-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction  To Ten Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1633322234933{margin-bottom: 30px !important;background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;sec11&#8243;][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Introduction To  Ten Steps&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23800000&#8243; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1642403045957{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Before the steps&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; el_class=&#8221;h22&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1636975081318{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What is a System?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|text_align:left&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; el_class=&#8221;h22&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1636974976728{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned earlier, \u2018Systems Thinking competence\u2019 is one of the eight key competences identified by UNESCO in the context of education for sustainable development. According to UNESCO \u201cSystems thinking competency is the ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty\u201d. This definition has gained international acceptance and is used in this manual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we proceed further on the journey of strengthening \u2018systems thinking competence\u2019, it is helpful to try and understand what a \u2018system\u2019 is!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Donella Meadows described a system as:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something. If you look at that definition closely for a minute, you can see that a system must consist of three kinds of things: elements, interconnections, and a function or purpose.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To comprehend this abstract description and relate it to a daily life context, let us consider a bicycle as an example of a system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bicycle is a system because\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It consists of elements such as the wheels, brakes, handlebar, saddle, light etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connections exist between the different parts &#8211; such as pedals, chain wheel, bicycle chain, wheels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has the function or purpose to be ridden and to transport at least one person from one place to another.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can we consider a stationary bicycle which shows no movement and no rider handling it, as a \u2018system\u2019? Yes. Even in such condition, a bicycle is a \u2018system\u2019 and we may refer it as a static system. The bicycle when moving and handled by a rider becomes a dynamic system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each system has a system boundary. This is not necessarily defined by the system itself but by the question you may ask in the context of thinking about a system or thinking in systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To explain this. Let us once again refer to the bicycle. We might only consider a bicycle in the narrow boundaries of its original purpose \u2013 as a means of transport. But we could also ask: What will happen to my bicycle, if I park it outside my house?\u00a0 In such a scenario, we could consider that the system boundaries would include the various natural processes such as weathering, gradual loss of air in the bicycle tyre, deterioration of the quality of the leather saddle due to weathering processes, etc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One may even expect that the bicycle might be stolen by someone. These examples show that a system may be nested as a sub-system within a larger system, and those are inside yet another system, which are part of the earth system. The earth itself is part of the solar system! Whether one touches these multiple systems finally depends on the questions that arise based on one\u2019s perception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next section provides an overview of the steps to explore systems. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Overview of the Steps&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|text_align:left&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; el_class=&#8221;h22&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1636974937893{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;tblsec45&#8243;]<\/p>\n<table class=\"table table-bordered tbl\" style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Steps<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Activities &amp; learning methods<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Learning outputs <\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Learning outcome<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-1-describe-a-part-of-a-complex-reality\/\"><b>Step 1<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nDescribe and\/ or visualize a part of a complex reality.<\/td>\n<td><b>Activity<\/b><br \/>\nProduce a structured description.<br \/>\n<b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Structured description<\/li>\n<li>Back-to-Back sitting<\/li>\n<li>Cinquain<\/li>\n<li>Drawing<\/li>\n<li>Telephone call<\/li>\n<li>Think Pair Share<\/li>\n<li>Taboo!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>A written or graphic description of the reality<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Describe<\/li>\n<li>Intensify one\u2019s perception about the chosen topic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-2-express-a-part-of-reality-as-a-model\/\"><b>Step 2<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nExpress that part of reality as a model.<\/td>\n<td><b>Activity<\/b><br \/>\nCreate a model.<br \/>\n<b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brainstorming<\/li>\n<li>Think, Pair, Share<\/li>\n<li>Picture to Reality<\/li>\n<li>Mapping technique<\/li>\n<li>Understanding causation<\/li>\n<li>Web of Life<\/li>\n<li>Taboo!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>Use the output from Step 1 to create a model<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gather information, review, and learn from examples and secondary research (data that already exists)<\/li>\n<li>Develop a model<\/li>\n<li>Collaborate to share information and insights<\/li>\n<li>Improve one\u2019s understanding about a topic and its components<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-3-understand-the-model-as-a-system\/\"><b>Step 3<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nUnderstand the model as a system.<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check whether the model is static or dynamic,<\/li>\n<li>Provide examples to identify systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mapping Technique<\/li>\n<li>Moving Game Understanding Causation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use output from Step 2 to develop<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A description of (parts of) the model using systems vocabulary<\/li>\n<li>System(s) diagram(s), including causal loops to represent dynamism, stocks, and flows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Evaluate whether a model represents a system<\/li>\n<li>Differentiate between a model and a system<\/li>\n<li>Understand if a given or developed model represents a system, if not, review the information that is the basis of the system; go back to Step 2, or even Step 1.<\/li>\n<li>Understand a system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-4-use-the-model-to-explain-the-past-behaviour-of-the-system\/\"><b>Step 4<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nUse the model to explain the behaviour of the system.<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explain the model.<\/li>\n<li>Create a Behaviour, over Time (BOT) graph for selected elements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Understanding causation<\/li>\n<li>BOT graphs<\/li>\n<li>Explainer video<\/li>\n<li>Podcast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use the output from Step 3 to prepare<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Text or oral description of the past and recent behavior of the system and certain elements of the chosen topic or reality<\/li>\n<li>BOT graphs of the past and present<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Observe changes<\/li>\n<li>Explain the nature or trend of change<\/li>\n<li>Explain the cause of changes (interrelations and causation)<\/li>\n<li>Visualize information in different forms<\/li>\n<li>Understand that a system is dynamic<\/li>\n<li>Communicate complex topics<\/li>\n<li>Revise a model if not suitable for explanation of the dynamism of the system, then, review Step 3.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-5-anticipate-the-future-behaviour-of-the-system\/\"><b>Step 5<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nAnticipate the behavior of the system.<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Conduct a Scenario Analysis of the model.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>BOT graphs<\/li>\n<li>Scenario Analysis<\/li>\n<li>Structured description<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use the output from Step 4 to prepare<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Text or oral description of the expected future behavior of the system and certain elements of the mode<\/li>\n<li>BOT graphs for the future<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anticipate the near future, including impacts on the (some or all) components of the system, or different elements of the system that are of interest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-6-evaluate-system-behaviour-in-the-frame-of-sustainable-development\/\"><b>Step 6<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nEvaluate the impacts of the system on sustainable development\u00a0(SD).<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduce the concept and options of measuring (sustainable) development,<\/li>\n<li>Introduce the concept of SD,<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate the future of the chosen topic under the frame of SD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SDG Analysis Matric<\/li>\n<li>Advocatus Diaboli<\/li>\n<li>Indicator Eggs<\/li>\n<li>Group Jigsaw<\/li>\n<li>Panel Discussion<\/li>\n<li>Role Play (e.g., Model UN Conference)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use outputs from Steps 3, 4 and 5 to prepare<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>List of criteria of SD applicable to the chosen topic, and selected variables<\/li>\n<li>Written evaluation, including any existing contradictions and conflicts for SD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Evaluate situations as they change over time, in accordance with selected frameworks of sustainable development and any criteria of interest<\/li>\n<li>Identify contradictions and understand them as reasons for current and future conflicts<\/li>\n<li>Recognize the consequences of and reflect on necessary steps or activities to enable or strengthen SD<\/li>\n<li>Think critically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-7-identify-potential-points-of-interventions\/\"><b>Step 7<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nIdentify potential points of intervention.<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify points of intervention in the system using examples.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Video analysis<\/li>\n<li>Brainstorm<\/li>\n<li>Transfer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use the output from Step 3 (Systems diagram) to mark points of intervention<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Understand what a \u2018leverage point\u2019 is<\/li>\n<li>Identify points of intervention, or \u2018leverage points\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-8-identify-potential-types-of-interventions\/\"><b>Step\u00a0 8<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nIdentify potential types of interventions.<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Identify types of intervention for different leverage points, using examples<\/p>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Transfer<\/li>\n<li>Advocatus Diaboli<\/li>\n<li>Future workshop<\/li>\n<li>Influence Matrix<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use the output from Step 7 to prepare a description of one or more potential interventions<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Think critically<\/li>\n<li>Understand how to use leverage points according to the intended change in the system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-9-generate-options-to-act-in-the-frame-of-sustainable-development-3\/\"><b>Step\u00a0 9<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nGenerate options to act for SD.<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Design the aim (oriented to sustainability), and a strategy to achieve the aim.<\/p>\n<p><b>Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Narration and storytelling<\/li>\n<li>Future Workshop<\/li>\n<li>Debate<\/li>\n<li>Back casting<\/li>\n<li>Scenario Analysis<\/li>\n<li>(SDG) Analysis Matrix<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use the outputs from Steps 7 and 8 to select an intervention<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Name the intended SD outcome<\/li>\n<li>Describe the selected intervention to achieve the intended SD outcomes<\/li>\n<li>List anticipated consequences of the interventions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to use the understanding about systems and SD to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>State the SD changes desired<\/li>\n<li>Select and detail out an intervention to bring about the desired SD changes<\/li>\n<li>Describe the anticipated impacts if the intervention is carried out\/ implemented.<\/li>\n<li>Deal with dilemmas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/step-10-assess-potential-impacts-of-interventions-in-the-frame-of-sustainable-development-and-decide-future-actions-3\/\"><b>Step 10<\/b><\/a><br \/>\nAssess the impacts of interventions on SD<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Activity<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Assess if the intervention strategy for changing the system towards sustainability is successful.<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">Learning Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Think Pair Share<\/li>\n<li>Debate<\/li>\n<li>Advocatus Diaboli<\/li>\n<li>Group Jigsaw<\/li>\n<li>Role play (for example organizing a jury)<\/li>\n<li>(SDG) Analysis Matrix<\/li>\n<li>Explainer video<\/li>\n<li>Podcast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Use the outputs from Steps 3, 4 and 5 (systems diagram and systems behavior descriptions), and the intervention\/s selected in Step 9, to prepare<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a list of intended and unintended impacts<\/li>\n<li>a written evaluation of the interventions, using the selected Sustainable Development frame (of Step 6)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Ability to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anticipate and reflect on intended and unintended impacts of interventions.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate and qualify anticipated impacts on sustainable development.<\/li>\n<li>Review Steps 7, 9, or even 3 if anticipated impacts are false, or not optimal for SD<\/li>\n<li>Tolerate frustration and deal with ambiguity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1633322234933{margin-bottom: 30px !important;background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;sec11&#8243;][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Introduction To Ten Steps&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23800000&#8243; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1642403045957{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Before the steps&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; el_class=&#8221;h22&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1636975081318{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What is a System?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|text_align:left&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Muli%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; el_class=&#8221;h22&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1636974976728{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]As mentioned earlier, \u2018Systems Thinking competence\u2019 is one of the eight key competences identified by UNESCO in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3198"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3198"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3699,"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3198\/revisions\/3699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.infilon.net\/systemsthinking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}