5 BENEFITS OF SYSTEMS THINKING

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, form a single body. For the body does not consist of only one part, but of many. If the foot says, “Since I’m not a hand, I’m not part of the body,” that does not make it any less a part of the body, does it? And if the ear says, “Since I’m not an eye, I’m not part of the body,” that does not make it any less a part of the body, does it? If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Now if all of it were one part, there wouldn’t be a body, would there? So there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” or the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are in fact indispensable, and the parts of the body that we think are less honorable are treated with special honor, and we make our less attractive parts more attractive. However, our attractive parts don’t need this. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is praised, every part rejoices with it.

For me, this profound illustration above from the bible, simply summaries the systems thinking which was founded by Prof Jay Forrester.

Systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems. Systems thinking is concerned with understanding of a system by examining the linkages and interactions between the components that comprise the entirety of that defined system. Whole systems are composed of systems, the basic unit, which comprise several entities or departments (e.g. policies, processes, practices, Human Resources and Administration, Finance Department, Marketing Department, Production/Technical Department, Legal and many others according to organization setups) and may be broken down into further sub-systems.

Systems Thinking focuses on:

• The organization as a whole

• Interactions between parts, not the parts themselves

• The way systems affect other systems

• Reoccurring patterns rather than just individual events

• Change over time

• How feedback affects the parts

Systems Thinking involves both a mindset that focuses on how the parts of a whole are interrelated and a set of tools that help organizations examine complexity and looks to address problems proactively rather than reactively, relying on multi-level, multi-disciplinary teams to work together to generate solutions and create lasting improvements. It strives to develop people’s sensitivity to the interdependency of the entire system and the consequences of actions.    

         SOME BENEFITS OF SYSTEMS THINKING:

    1. There is greater collaboration which yield better results:

In a number of Organizations, there is interdepartmental rivalries e.g. Finance vs HR, Finance     Vs Audit /Production. Recently I saw some long social media chat, where a medical Doctor was saying that they don’t like Human Resources Professional because they think they are superior in the Ministry of Health.  All these try to show their superiority and this results into unhealthy working environment which doesn’t promote collaborate. John C. Maxwell said, “to collaborative team members, completing one another is more important than competing with one another.”

    2. Focus on results not just mere activities:

It is said, “Not everything that can be counted counts. Not everything that counts can    be counted.” You may be busy doing activities which are not even responding to your vision and goals. Companies want results not just activities. A system thinker will ensure that whatever they are focusing on will ultimately benefit the entire Organization not for seek of making allowances through trips, meetings which don’t yielded desired results.

   3.  Helps to priorities organization Key Success Factors:

If your roof is leaking, deciding to replace the damaged carpet and repaint the ceiling won’t lead to a lasting solution and will only drain your budget of the resources needed for the right fix. Organizations and individuals need to focus on their KPIs and ensure that they ask Key Performance Questions (KPQs).

   4.  Increase idea generation:

In system thinking, everyone is valued and this increases the sense of responsibility and ownership. Therefore, people feel more appreciated and easily open up to suggest and can also question the status quo. These new ideas can be implemented and find better and innovative ways of achieving desired results.

  5.  Generate knowledge and understanding beyond what a person already knows:

As a system thinker you will not just focus on your area of operation or your job role but you will endeavor to appreciate and understand the other Department’s work. When you’re entrenched in your own responsibilities, it’s easy to forget that other departments not only exist, but that you’re all serving one main goal: fulfilling the mission of your organization. Learning what other departments do and working with them on collaborative projects are ways to avoid losing sight of the organization’s other moving parts. Organizations with employees from different departments who work together on projects can benefit from sharing information and asking questions.

In summary systems thinking has more benefits and if well utilized can see actualization of individual and organizational goals as we are interdependent on each other. Be a system thinker!

“One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something.” –Henry David Thoreau

“A new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move towards higher levels.”—Albert Einstein