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Systems Thinking

Our programs are research-based, results-driven, people-friendly

Duration   2 days

What is this workshop about?

This workshop is aimed at simplifying the understanding of complex systems (not complicated systems) – working from system thinking about the organisation’s separate systems of operation towards the interaction, integration and alignment between systems that characterizes systems thinking. 

Research-based: this workshop is based on research into the links between systems thinking and strategic planning

Results-driven: the focus for the workshop is the application of systems thinking to your organisation – operationally and strategically

People-friendly: the approach builds on and uses managers’ own experience in designing and developing processes and is fast-paced with opportunities for discussion and analysis. 

Who would benefit?

Managers at mid to senior levels who are identified as leaders of the future. Increasingly, strategic planning is a shared exercise and the ability to understand and integrate systems is a key part of the thinking required at strategic levels within your organisation – no matter what its size. This workshop could serve as a preparation for strategic planning for this cohort.

Objectives

At the end of the workshop, your delegates will have developed a clear map of your organisation’s systems and identified some of the ’formal’ and ‘accidentally evolved’ flags and feedback loops. They will have assessed some areas for greater integration – that are related to their areas of responsibilities, and discussed the importance of aligning and synchronizing system feedback with the strategic planning loop. This workshop works best if the two days are held one week apart to allow the delegates to investigate and report back on the organisation’s current systems and their recommendations for improvements. This task would require substantial time allowance from their regular responsibilities. An expected outcome of the workshop will be a series of recommendations for systems improvement and alignment. 

Key topics covered

• System thinking
• The role of ‘feedback’
• Setting ‘flags’ (or ‘triggers’)
• Synchronisation and alignment of systems
• Examples of systems thinking - e.g. emergent (quick response) strategic planning

The extra mile

Part of this workshop program includes a four-hour session with the senior executive group to revisit systems thinking and provide an update on the latest research and practice in emergent strategic planning. This session will ensure that the workshop group’s report will be of maximum value to the Executive’s planning processes.