What Is Systems Thinking? Importance Of Systems Thinking In Effective Organization

What Is Systems Thinking? Importance Of Systems Thinking In Effective Organization 

Systems thinking is the process of understanding how different systems influence each other within a holistic or larger system.

Systems exist everywhere you look. In nature, air, water, plants and animals work together as systems under a larger ecosystem. 

Systems in organizations include: 

•   People
•   Planning
•   Process
•   Performance 

In effective organizations, these 4 systems work together in alignment toward common goals.

Different systems work differently in dysfunctional organizations. One system is not aware of another system. The worst that happens is that one system competes against another. 

How does systems thinking work? 

Basically thinking holistically to solve any problem is the work of 'systems thinking'. Thinking this way requires thinking about how a system works, how to understand other things within the system, and how to make the system better, etc.

However, there is no specific rule on how to do 'systems thinking'. For this one must first understand the basic concepts of a system. This is the most important step in solving difficult problems.

Intelligent leaders use systems thinking to make organizational decisions. First, they collect data from different systems (people, planning, processes and performance). Then, they create visual data maps to understand how these 4 systems are working together toward common goals and how their organization is performing as a whole. 

Uses of systems thinking 

Actions without 'systems thinking' serve only small purposes. This can lead to new problems for others in the system. Even if a decision is taken without thinking holistically, it can become a hindrance in meeting the main goals of the organization.

When an organization's goals are big, they need managers who can think in terms of systems. It is also important for the rest of the organization to understand his thoughts clearly.

Applying 'systems thinking' in the workplace now will help your organization better prepare for the future.

In short, if you apply systems thinking now, you will be able to work with better strategies in the future. 

6 Important Points Associated with Systems Thinking 

If the method of 'systems thinking' is applied in the organization, your organization will be several steps ahead of others. Especially in these fast changing times, the need for any organization to be flexible and strategic is high.

Here are 6 essential issues associated with 'systems thinking'. By taking care of these things, your organization will be efficient, agile and better prepared for the future. 

1. Systems Mapping 

To solve a problem, one must first understand the system in which the problem is occurring. This is called 'systems mapping'.

For 'systems mapping', it is necessary to initially isolate the problem areas. 

2. Connections between different subjects 

The world is not as big as we think it is. So after identifying the system problem you want to solve, you need to understand how the different parts within the system relate to each other.

This relationship may not always be simple or natural. So if you think deeply about things, you will see how subtly the different things in the system are related to each other. 

3. to think coherently 

You can think coherently if you have a good understanding of the issues related to the problem you are trying to solve.

It is the exact opposite of 'Analysis'. To do this, you have to think about several things and create something new for the system. 

4. You have to have an idea about how small things come together into something big 

Now let's think about the universe. As we know, our universe is a huge and complex system. Our universe is made up of planets, stars, galaxies and many other unknown objects. But these big things are made of many small things.

That is, a large system is created from small objects. So, to understand how to organize small things, you need to understand how something big is made from something small. 

5. Give feedback or feedback 

Feedback is very important to understand if something is working properly. More importantly, from feedback we can better understand what is not working.

So if you want to start 'systems thinking' in the organization, you must start the practice of asking others' opinion or advice on any matter within the system. 

6. Understanding causation 

There is a reason behind everything. And that is called 'causation'.

Every action or decision you make can have different consequences. So when you go to solve a small problem in the system, you need to understand how it affects other parts of the system.