Introduction to Systems Thinking by Daniel Aronson

My article summary is on Introduction to Systems Thinking by Daniel Aronson. In this article he outlines some of the key concepts that defines systems thinking such as seeing the "big picture", looking at recurring problems differently, considering the consequences of actions, and analysing problems where solutions are evasive and complex. The goal of systems thinking is to ultimately view problems and solutions in the totality of the whole system not just the individual part.

The traditional way to solve problems is break them down into constituent parts and work from that level, but the systems approach is to take into account the system as a whole and study the complex interactions between the parts of the system. For an example Aronson uses the problem of insect damage to a crop. The standard way to solve this type of problem is to find out what will reduce to insects to the level that will ensure the crop's integrity will be protected. The typical approach is to apply a pesticide to kill the insects and then the crops will be safe. However, this is not the system approach.

The systems way of thinking is to analyse this problem from many more facets. Other factors that need to be considered are the short-term and long -term orientation of this system, what purpose does the invader insect currently serve that will be eliminated after the pesticide application, and the historical effects that may occur such as soil damage and water pollution. Aronson further elaborates this scenario by examining what has often happened in practice; the main effect of eliminating the problem insect is only a short lived solution because the insects that were previously controlled have grown into another problem that needs to be addressed. By looking at this problem through an integrated long-term manner this costly and potentially damaging action could have been addressed correctly the first-time by truly considering the whole system that would be affected by the specific action.

IT projects also can benefit from the system approach. Often solutions are offered through many differing perspectives, but tend to be biased toward the views, experience and culture to such a degree that the solution itself does not really address the entire problem and the organization in which it will be deployed, but only a small and narrow slice that is seen by the proposer.

The complexity of systems today make the systems approach ideal for project management as was discussed in the textbook in chapter two. Aronson proposes system thinking as a method to manage this complexity and address the type of one-dimensional thinking that has plagued organizations in the past. He states that an effectively implemented approach of system thinking can elevate our thinking when we begin the problem analysis.

I believe that systems thinking is needed to address many of the complex problems that we face today. Too often a quick political solution is proposed and is implemented without total systems consideration. For example, in Illinois the smoking ban was implemented without much forethought. Questions such as who will enforce the ban, how will businesses be affected, is the timing correct, how will tax revenue be impacted, who will gain or lose from this ban, were not addressed in the beginning and many resources such as police, health, and court systems have had to try to address some of the oversights of the law as written. Many other types of shortsighted decisions could have be avoided with a systems thinking approach.

Article URL:
http://www.thinking.net/Systems_Thinking/Intro_to_ST/intro_to_st.html