Thinking about systemsand how to change themBased on Donella H. Meadows, Thinking in Systems - A Primer, Earthscan, 2009 - GT -Apr-09

Key elementsStocksFlows FeedbackBalancingReinforcingPositive loopsNegative loops

Key words ResilienceSelf-organisationHierarchy

Surprise, surpriseEventsBehaviour StructureNon-linearNo boundariesAlways ad-hocLimitsDelaysBounded rationalityEach actor vs welfare as a whole

Traps and opportunitiesPolicy resistanceBounded rationalitiesInconsistent goalsLet go - give up ineffective policiesOverarching goal - so break out of BRsTragedy of commonsEducate, exhortPrivatiseRegulateDrifting downAbsolute / improving standards

Traps and opportunitiesEscalationReinf feedback loopAvoidRefuse to competeBalancing loopSuccess to successfulDiversifyLimitations (anti-trust)Periodic levellingRewards without bias

Traps and opportunitiesShifting the burden, addiction, dependenceReduces symptions, misses problemAvoidRestructureRule BeatingDesign / Redesign to achieve purposeWrong goalReal Welfare of systemNot confuse effort with result

Leverage pointsOften counter-intuitiveAvoid pushing in wrong direction

Leverage pointsNumbers / size of flowsFiddling with detailsBuffersSize of stabalising stocksStock and flow structuresRebuild it but slowDesign it right in first place

Leverage pointsDelaysCommon in feedback loops, cause oscillations, critical determinants of system behaviourIf can change, may have big effect, if in right directionBalancing feedback loopsOften inactive, critical when needed, dont remove

Leverage pointsReinforcing feedback loopsSource of growth, explosion, erosion, collapse; success to successfulInformation flowsAccess, if missing malfunction of systemRules, incentives, punishments, constraintsWho has power over themHigh leverage points

Leverage pointsSelf organisation - power to add, change, evolve system structureDiversity, variability, experimentationLosing controlGoals - purpose or function of systemCore issue, who can changeParadigm - mind setShifting changes restTranscending paradigmsNo paradigm is true, model accurateBe clear of purpose

System wisdomsGet the beat of the systemUnderstand, see how behaves, get dataExpose mental models to light of dayEverythings only a modelHonour, respect, distribute informationDo not distort, delay, withhold infoUse Language with care, enhance it with systems conceptsResilience, carrying capacity.Be concrete, meaningful, truthful

System wisdomsAttend to what is important, not just what is quantifiableBeauty, love, caring, justice, security.Make feedback policies for feedback systemsVary according to responseGo for the good of the wholeHierarchies exist to serve the bottom layer

System wisdomsListen to the wisdom of the systemAid things that help it run itselfLocate responsibility in the systemIn both analysis and designStay humble, stay a learnerCelebrate complexityExpand time horizonsDiscount the discount rate, think long term

System wisdomsExpand the boundary of caringNo part of the human race is separate either from other human beings or from the global ecosystemDont erode the goal of goodness Look at the best we humans can do, spread it.