System Change

Systemic change is generally understood to require adjustments or transformations in the policies, practices, power dynamics, social norms or mindsets that underlie the societal issue at stake. It often involves the collaboration of a diverse set of players and can take place on a local, national or global level.

Adam Zeiner and

SSam Liebeskind

classic framework for thinking about managing change

social change always begins with people who have “both a critical eye and a hopeful heart.”

Sam Pressler • Building societal structures to hold the messiness of our relationships

SSam Liebeskind

Marshall Ganz

PLACES TO INTERVENE IN A SYSTEM

(in increasing order of effectiveness)

Constants, parameters, numbers (subsidies, taxes, standards).

Regulating negative feedback loops.

Driving positive feedback loops.

Material flows and nodes of material intersection.

Information flows.

The rules of the system (incentives, punishments, constraints).

The distribution of

donellameadows.org • Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System

Keely Adler

I have heard John McKnight say that advisory groups speak quietly to power, protestors scream at power, and neither chooses to reclaim or produce power. The real problem with rebellion is that it is such fun. It avoids taking responsibility, operates on the high ground, is fueled by righteousness, gives legitimacy to blame, and is a delightful

Sam Liebeskind

Now published: Leverage Points for Sustainability Transformation

ideas4sustainability.wordpress.com

Adam Zeiner

“leverage points.” These are places within a complex system (a corporation, an economy, a living body, a city, an ecosystem) where a small shift in one thing can produce big changes in everything.

donellameadows.org • Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System

Keely Adler

Theories of Change and Logic Models: Telling Them Apart

Understanding the distinction between Theories of Change and Logic Models, their components, and when to use each in program design and evaluation. Balancing complexity and simplicity for optimal effectiveness.

theoryofchange.org

Sam Liebeskind

PLACES TO INTERVENE IN A SYSTEM

(in increasing order of effectiveness)

Constants, parameters, numbers (such as subsidies, taxes, standards).

The sizes of buffers and other stabilizing stocks, relative to their flows.

The structure of material stocks and flows (such as transport networks, population age structures).

The lengths of delays, relative to the

donellameadows.org • Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System

Keely Adler

Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System

donellameadows.org donellameadows.org

Tanuj and