7 Applying Systems Thinking

Four-State Process for Applying Systems Thinking

Stroh provides a four-stage change process of leading systemic change by applying systems thinking. You will see similarities between this process and Design Thinking, which is the focus of the next section.

Graphic with four multicolored boxes overlapping an arrow which is pointing right. The first box says, "readiness"; the second box says, "understanding and acceptance". The third box says, "commitment" and the fourth box says "focus, momentum and correction".

  1. Readiness: Building a foundation for change by engaging critical stakeholders and collaborators
  2. Understanding and Acceptance: Facing and understanding the current situation at all levels of the iceberg
  3. Commitment: Making an explicit choice for change and clarifying the aspirational vision
  4. Focus, momentum, and correction: Bridging the gap between the current situation to the preferred one by engaging a diversity of stakeholders, focusing on high-level interventions, and learning from the experience

By applying this process, system thinking has the capacity to revolutionize community change by:

  • Motivating people by situating them within the problem as well as the solution
  • Catalyzing collaboration due to the insights that are gained
  • Focusing efforts on those with the most impact and sustainability
  • Stimulating continuous learning by building feedback loops into the process, acknowledging that knowledge is not static and neither are the solutions [1]
  1. Stroh, D.P. (2015). Systems thinking for social change: A practical guide to solving complex problems, avoiding unintended consequences, and achieving lasting results. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing. ↵

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Macro Practice for Community and Organizational Change Copyright © by Lynn Amerman Goerdt. All Rights Reserved.