Systems for a six year old

Here are six questions to contemplate when dealing with systems:

• What is the system in question and how are we defining what belongs to the system and what does not?


• What is the wider context that the system in question operates in?


• What are the key agents whose interactions and relationships define the system structure and drive the system’s behaviou

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One way to define the word ‘system’ is as a set of interconnected elements that together form a coherent pattern we can refer to as a ‘whole’.

Such a system exhibits properties of the whole that emerge out of the interactions and relationships of the individual elements. This definition could be applied to a molecule, a cell, a human being, a commu... See more

collaboration and clear communication go hand in hand—and we have to be deliberate about both

• Break abstract ideas down into actions. It’s often easier to understand a tool if we describe how it works, rather than what it is. We believe innovation is a deliberate practice, so it follows that we should articulate the actions that make up that practice.


• Use concrete examples. Most social innovation tools are forged through experience—iterati

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As we began to describe what a system is, Eilidh quickly compared it to the way her school works. Using that analogy, the abstract idea of systems maps became much more concrete. We discussed the people who influence her “system”—parents, teachers, principals, and other students. She talked about the issues within the system that she’d like to addr... See more

Local optimization hurt the whole

If you focus on a part of the system and ignore the whole system, bad things tend to happen. A body builder optimizes accelerates muscle growth and negatively impacting the other organs ultimately impacting the systems very purpose.

A young gamer over clocks their new computer so it can go faster which will raise th... See more

Key Idea: Systems are usually contained within systems.

Key idea: none of the parts have can fulfill the purpose the system.

Example 3: A planet is a system containing many systems the purpose of which is to maintain life.

Key idea: the connections are as important as the parts.

Example 2: A human is a system that is made of many connected parts (heart, lung, veins) and the primary purpose is life.

“None of the parts live, only you live. That is easily provable, cut off your hand and see what it does” Russ Ackoff.