Systems Thinking (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what systemic thinking is, its principles, method and characteristics. Also, cause-effect thinking.

What is systems thinking?

Systemic thinking or systematic thinking It is a conceptual framework that understands reality as a system of objects interconnected or subsystems. Consequently, try to understand its operation and its properties to solve a problem.

In simpler terms, systems thinking prefers to see wholes rather than isolated partsto focus on the patterns of operation or the mode of interrelation between the parts, operating as a system.

It is a way of thinking developed over the last seventy years. It aims to facilitate the understanding and resolution of patterns, based on common concepts in other disciplines, such as engineering, biology or systems theory.

The term systems thinking comes from the concept of systemby which is understood any set, organism or segment of reality that can be described based on its components and the interaction between them, abstracting from the “outside” of it.

Systems have “inputs” and “outputs” through which they exchange information. (energy, matter) with their surrounding environment, and depending on how much they do so, they can be open systems (free exchange) or closed (limited or no exchange).

Background of systems thinking

His background is in philosophy, the hylozoist theoryand in biology vitalism. Regarding psychology, it is important the notion of Gestalt.

Characteristics of systems thinking

systems thinking reality network relationships — Systems thinking considers reality as a network of relationships.

Systemic thinking understands its objects of interest as ordered systems, and to do so it applies four fundamental principles, which are:

Position principle. There is a hierarchy within the systems, that is, a vertical order, on which the place occupied by its elements depends. This is also replicated when analyzing systems of systems, that is, suprasystems.
Principle of relationship. The relationship that exists between the elements of a system, or between different systems of the same suprasystem, generates polarities, forces of attraction or repulsion, and allows the formulation of a field theory.
Limitation principle. Every system is limited by controls that correct its duration, measurement, rhythm, radius of influence and operating model.
Principle of equifinality. Systems that advance towards a specific purpose can achieve it through different mechanisms, as long as they contemplate the same goal.

In addition, there are other psychological criteria of systemic thinking, which are:

That the essential properties of a system belong to the whole, and none of its parts can have them alone. a system It is more than the sum of its parts.
Any analysis of a system must be done from the micro and the macrothe sub and the supra, at their different levels.
A part of the system is a pattern embedded in a network of relationships.
Reality is a network of relationships.

Systems thinking methodology

The methodology of this type of thinking can be very diverse, but broadly speaking it is summarized in four fundamental steps:

Acquire one global vision of the system and its sets.
understand the implications between the parties of the system and its projection in the medium and long term.
Recognition of the dynamic and complex and interdependent (sub)systems that allow the construction of useful models for solving a problem.
Recognition of the measurable and/or non-measurable indicators to be able to use qualitative or quantitative resources as necessary, and thus obtain conclusions.

Benefits of systems thinking

Systems thinking provides a more holistic perspectivethat is, more global, complex and dynamic reality. Allows modeling complex systems, reduce problems to their minimum expressionand open our minds to “outside the box” solutions (Out-of-the-box in English). Therefore, it drastically rethinks the perspective of the issue studied.

Differences with cause-effect thinking

Cause-effect thinking and systems thinking are two different routes to the same result. However, Cause-effect thinking is characterized by a direct relationship between an event and its consequences: a given cause and a measurable effect thereof, assuming that there is a demonstrable relationship between the two.

This is, in some cases, one of its weaknesses: the effects of a cause cannot always be perceivedor the causes of a perceived effect are known, and this does not mean that they do not exist. Sometimes, too much contextual information even obscures any attempt to establish cause and effect. That's where systems thinking proves its worth.

Useful for long-term evaluations, Systems thinking allows us to understand the complex relationships that link two eventsin principle, distant from each other, or difficult to relate directly, allowing us to achieve a perspective that goes beyond the need to find someone responsible or assign blame.