An Introduction to Systems Thinking for Tackling Wicked Problems

Abstract

We are increasingly facing ‘wicked problems’. They are stubborn and challenging, with:

Many interlinked issues, cutting across the usual silos (e.g., economy, health and environment), making for a high degree of complexity;

The involvement of multiple agencies (often from across the public, private and voluntary sectors) trying to account for multiple scales (local, regional, national and global);

Many individuals, groups and organisations with different views on the problem and potential solutions;

Conflict over desired outcomes or the means to achieve them, and power relations making change difficult; plus

Uncertainty about the possible effects of proposals for action.

While traditional scientific and management approaches can make a useful contribution, we need something more than these if we want to gain a bigger picture understanding of how to take action in the face of wicked problems. Systems thinking can help.

In this talk, Gerald Midgley will introduce the audience to a framework of systems thinking skills, plus a variety of systems ideas and methods that can help people put these skills into practice. He will illustrate the use of the methods with a number of examples from his own projects in the UK and New Zealand to show how we can begin to get a better handle on wicked problems.

More information available at:

http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Regional/mors_future.aspx

Non-members welcome, no charge is made. For further information please contact MidlandsORSociety@live.co.uk

Refreshments will be available from 17:45.

Directions: Aston is a short, flat 15 minutes walk away from New Street Station, through the main shopping areas of the city along Corporation Street. Directions to Aston can be found at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/directions/ go to entrance marked E in the campus map ( http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/directions/ ) and follow the signs. The talk will be held in the ground floor of the main building of the University. Signs will be prepared to help direct the visitors to the room from the reception of the building. For any complications, please ask in reception for the council room.