To achieve long-lasting change and disruptive innovation we must understand the big picture, that is, we must think in terms of systems

What is systems thinking?

Systems thinking is a way of looking at and understanding the world around us. It involves recognizing that everything is connected and that small changes can have big effects.

In a system, there are many different parts that work together to achieve a common goal. These parts are called "components." A system can be as simple as a bicycle, which has wheels, pedals, a frame, and other parts that work together to help you ride it. Or it can be as complex as a city, which has roads, buildings, utilities, and many other components that work together to make it a functioning place to live.

When you think about a system, it's important to look at how all the parts are connected and how they interact with each other. It's also important to think about the bigger picture and how the system fits into the world around it. By understanding these connections and interactions, we can better understand how a system works and how we can make it better.

Overall, systems thinking is a way of looking at the world in a more holistic and interconnected way. It helps us to understand how small changes can have big effects and how we can work to create positive change in the world.

Why is systems thinking important?

Systems thinking is important because it helps us to understand the world around us in a more holistic and interconnected way. By recognizing that everything is connected and that small changes can have big effects, we can better understand how the world works and how we can make it better.

Here are a few specific ways in which systems thinking can be useful:

1.    Problem-solving: By understanding the connections and interactions within a system, we can better identify the root causes of problems and find more effective solutions.

2.    Decision-making: Systems thinking helps us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions and how they might affect other parts of the system.

3.    Creativity: Systems thinking can help us to see problems in new ways and come up with creative solutions that we might not have thought of otherwise.

4.    Communication: By understanding systems thinking, we can better communicate with others about complex issues and find ways to work together to create positive change.

When using systems thinking to solve a problem, it is important to consider the stakeholders – that is, the people or groups who are affected by the problem or who have a stake in its solution.

By considering the needs and interests of all the stakeholders, we can develop solutions that are more likely to be successful and sustainable. This might involve finding ways to balance the needs of different stakeholders and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Overall, systems thinking is a valuable skill that can help us to think more critically and creatively about the world around us and work to create positive change.

What is the difference between systems innovation and systems thinking?

Systems innovation is the process of creating new or improved systems to solve problems or meet new needs. It involves identifying the key components of a system and finding ways to improve their performance or functionality.

Systems thinking, on the other hand, is a way of looking at and understanding the world around us. It involves recognizing that everything is connected and that small changes can have big effects. When using systems thinking, we try to understand how all the parts of a system are connected and how they interact with each other, and we consider the bigger picture and how the system fits into the world around it.

While systems innovation and systems thinking are related, they are not the same thing. Systems innovation involves designing and implementing new or improved systems, while systems thinking is a way of thinking about and understanding systems. However, systems thinking can be an important part of the systems innovation process, as it helps us to understand the complexity of systems and identify opportunities for improvement.

Overall, systems innovation is focused on creating new or improved systems, while systems thinking is a way of understanding and analyzing systems. Both are valuable approaches that can be used to solve problems and create positive change.

How is systems innovation different from traditional engineering problem solving?

Traditional engineering problem solving involves identifying a problem and then developing a solution that addresses that problem. This typically involves breaking the problem down into smaller parts and finding a solution for each part.

Systems innovation, on the other hand, involves taking a more holistic view of the problem and considering how all the parts of a system are connected and how they interact with each other. It involves designing and developing new or improved systems that are more efficient, effective, or sustainable.

One key difference between traditional engineering problem solving and systems innovation is that traditional problem solving tends to focus on finding a solution for a specific problem, while systems innovation involves looking at the bigger picture and considering how to improve the overall system.

For example, if an engineer was trying to solve a problem with a car's engine, they might focus on identifying and fixing a specific issue with the engine, such as a malfunctioning part. In contrast, if an engineer was using systems innovation to improve the car, they might consider how to design a more efficient engine, or how to integrate other systems (such as the transmission or suspension) to improve the car's overall performance.

Overall, while traditional engineering problem solving and systems innovation both involve finding solutions to problems, systems innovation takes a more holistic and comprehensive approach, considering the bigger picture and the long-term consequences of different solutions.

There are several stakeholders who could be affected by any changes or improvements made to the engine:

1.    Vehicle owner: The owner of the car is a stakeholder, as they will be using the car and will be affected by its performance and reliability.

2.    Vehicle manufacturer: The manufacturer of the car is a stakeholder, as they will be responsible for producing and selling the car.

3.    Government: The government is a stakeholder, as it may be interested in the car's emissions and fuel efficiency, as well as its safety and performance.

4.    Community: The community is a stakeholder, as the car's emissions and other impacts on the environment may affect the community.

5.    Suppliers: The companies that supply parts and materials to the car manufacturer are stakeholders, as they will be affected by any changes to the car's design.

Each of these stakeholders has different needs and interests, which are important to consider when making decisions or solving problems related to the engine.