In simplifying and solving one mess, how often have you discovered (or even spawned) another? Or, perhaps you’ve got a bomber user experience strategy but struggle to communicate it’s nuances to stakeholders and content creators–a beautiful labyrinth that no one but you can navigate. This talk provides specific strategies for cultivating systems thinking–and action–in yourself, your team, and with your clients.
- Prime the brain(s) for systems thinking
- Embrace, navigate, and communicate complexity
- Take action and build trust through experimentation and failure
4. “Focus as though you
are looking through the
image into the
distance…
very slowly move the
image away from your
face...the hidden image
will magically
appear…good luck!”
8. - Sees the whole picture
- Changes perspectives to see new leverage points in complex systems
- Looks for interdependencies
- Considers how mental models create our futures
- Pays attention to and gives voice to the long-term
- “Goes wide” (uses peripheral vision) to see complex cause and effect
relationships
- Finds where unanticipated consequences emerge
- Focuses on structure, not on blame
- Holds the tension of paradox and controversy without trying to resolve it
quickly
- Makes systems visible through maps and models
- Watches for win/lose mindsets, knowing they usually make matters worse
in situations of high interdependence
- Sees oneself as part of, not outside of, the system
The System Thinking Playbook
34. RESOURCES
The Systems Thinking Playbook, Sweeney/Meadows
Role-playing the Interaction, Stephen Anderson
Just Enough Research, Erika Hall
Co-designing resources, Service Design Tools
The Secret Phrase Top Innovators Use, HBR
Design Sprint Resources, Google Ventures