Systems Thinking

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we
created them."
Albert Einstein
Too often, todays problems are solved by utilizing easy and comfortable approaches to obtain
simple solutions. In reality as many discover simplicity and common approaches are far from
effective in dealing with complex, dynamic and diverse problems. Despite the initial apparent
ease and comfort, focus tends to be on the elements of the problem, rather than the bigger
picture; and typically there is no consideration of interactions, and the belief that there is one
best solution. As more and more program failures escalate there is an increasing need to improve
and create better results through systems thinking. Systems thinking is a discipline of seeing the
whole, recognizing patterns and interrelationships, and learning how to innovate a more
effective, efficient and creative system solution(s). This course will acquaint students to basic
concepts of systems thinking. The primary emphasis will be the introduction of basic systems
thinking fundamentals, i.e. defining a systems perspective about any situation or problem,
solving problems with that perspective, describing and modeling a problem, and designing and
improving upon system solutions.

Course Learning Objectives

After completing this course students will be able to:
Provide an overview of the history, research and perspectives into systems thinking
Understand and document system thinking objectives
Establish a basic understanding of systems thinking terminology, theories, processes,
methods, language and tools.
Evaluate when it is appropriate to apply thinking methods, i.e. reductionist methods (ex.
data collection, scientific method, etc.) as opposed to applying systems thinking methods
(ex. ,Systems Engineering, Breakthrough Thinking/Smart Questions, etc.)
Describe and model solutions that will enable system thinking ex. (mind maps, feedback
& causal loops, behavior over time diagrams, etc.)
Apply systems engineering and analysis techniques to various problems. (socio technical, supply chain, value chain / lean, etc.)
Translate system thinking objectives into a problem statement that can be solved by
traditional engineering disciplines (EE, ME, CE, CECS, ISE, Sciences etc.)

Grading:
Midterm
Class Project
Exercises

20%
40%
40%

Text Book: Rather than a traditional text book, a course reader will be assembled for this
course. This will expose students to a variety of resource materials including course slides

Course Structure:
1. Lecture 1: Introduction: Definitions & Concepts
a. The Purpose
b. What is Thinking?
c. What is a System?
d. What is Systems Thinking?
e. Why Systems Thinking?
f. System Principles & Concepts (Reductionist vs Holistic)
g. Key Terminology
2. Lecture 2: A View from the Past to Present
a. General Systems Theory
b. System Science
c. Systems Approaches
d. Cybernetics
e. Exercise
3. Lecture 3: Dealing with Complexity
a. Hierarchy
b. Evolution
c. Description
d. Emergence
e. Adaptive Complex Systems
f. Exercise
4. Lecture 4: Process & Methods I
a. Hard, Soft, Evolutionary, and Complex Adaptive Systems
b. Methods (Hard: Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering, Operations Research;
Soft: Soft Systems Methodology, Rigorous Soft Method, Breakthrough Thinking)
c. Exercise
5. Lecture 5: Process & Methods II
a. Systems Engineering & System Architecting
b. System Concept & Design
c. Exercise
6. Midterm
7. Case Study: Smart Questions Phase 1 & 2 Describing and Understanding the Problem
a. Translating system objectives and the future solution description into a problem
statement
b. Solving the wrong problem perfectly
c. Guest Speaker: Center for Breakthrough Thinking
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d. Creative / Brainstorming Tools: Lateral Thinking, Systems Thinking Diagrams

(ex. Mind Maps)
e. Exercise (In Class)
8. Case Study: Smart Questions Phase 3 Future Solution
a. Smart Questions: Guest Speaker: Center for Breakthrough Thinking
b. Problem Solving Tools: Kepner-Tregoe, Decision Analysis, Casual Analysis,
TRIZ
c.. Exercise (In Class)
9. Case Study: Smart Questions Phase 4: Living Solution fro Today and Tomorrow
a. Smart Questions: Guest Speaker: Center for Breakthrough Thinking
b. Systems Thinking Tools (Feedback, Causal Loops, N2 charts, etc.),
c. Software Tools (ex. Stella, IThink, Vensum Systemigram, etc. )
d. Exercise (In Class)
10. Systems Implementation
a. Systems Architecting and Evolutionary Development
i. Spiral vs incremental implementation
ii. Timely system implementation
iii. Incremental Commitment Model
b. Planning system design and technical implementation
i. Prioritize system capability phasing
ii. Technology Roadmapping
c. Managing systems
d. Exercise
11. The Solution & Applications I
a. Application 1: Socio-Technical System
b. Application 2: Leadership/ Learning Process
c. Exercise
12. The Solution & Applications II
a. Application 3: Value Chain / Lean
b. Application: 4: Global Warming
c. Exercise
13. Research Needs Regarding Future Systems Thinking and Next Steps
14. Class Project Presentations
15. Class Project Presentations (Cont.)

Bibliography
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2. Virginia Anderson and Lauren Johnson (1997) Systems Thinking Basics: From
Concepts to Causal Loops (Pegasus)
3. Robert Axelrod and Michael D. Cohen ( ) Harnessing Complexity
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Academic
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Applications, George Braziller New York
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8. Peter Checkland Jim Scholes (1990) Soft Systems Methodology in Action. (Wiley)
ISBN 0-471-92768-6
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ISBN 1-888017-51-1
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Questions For Powerful Results John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Systems Thinking, Nicholas Brealey Publishing, London, 2002
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(World Scientific Publishing Company) ISBN 9-812-56467-5

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Senior Systems Engineers, Doctor Of Philosophy In Engineering Systemsat The
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, February 2006
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Perspectives on Ethics, Power and Pluralism, Sage Publications, 2003
33. Hitchins, D.K., Advanced Systems Thinking, Engineering, Management, Artech
House, Boston, 2003
34. Flood. R.L., Carson, E.R., Dealing with Complexity: An Introduction to the Theory
and Application of Systems Science, Plenum Press, N.Y., 1990
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of Systems Theory, World Scientific, N.J., 2001