Systems thinking treats issues as interconnected, not isolated. It focuses on the relationships between different elements. It considers more than just individual issues.
Government policy involves dealing with complex systems. Traditional methods may miss hidden links between issues. With this approach, the broader context is clearer.
This approach helps governments spot underlying problems. It means solutions are more effective. Unexpected outcomes are less likely with systems thinking.
It promotes working together in government. Silos are eliminated in government by systems thinking. Coordination among departments is enhanced.
Systems thinking can improve the quality of policy decisions. This approach aids in forecasting results. It creates more enduring government policies.
Increasingly, governments use this approach in policy. Adaptability is encouraged through systems thinking. Systems thinking is valuable for tackling complex policy issues.
It allows reaction to new challenges. It encourages learning from what has happened. Policies can change and adapt more easily.
Government responses are more robust. Governments can prevent problems sooner. Governments can use it to plan for the long term.
Feedback is central to systems thinking. Policymakers can adjust policies based on real-world outcomes. Improvement is continuous with systems thinking.
Systems thinking works throughout policy making. Planning, doing, and reviewing benefit. This ensures that policies remain relevant and effective.
It increases public involvement. Community needs are clearer to governments. Government becomes more equitable.
It disrupts unhelpful routines. It stops mistakes from returning. Improvement is ongoing.
Stubborn issues are addressed. Solutions are more innovative. Climate and health issues are addressed.
Many viewpoints are considered. Different people contribute. Government decisions are improved.
Training supports systems thinking. Governments can invest in building these abilities. Staff handle complex tasks successfully.
Resource use is optimized. The right interventions become clear. Funds are managed well.
Success measurement improves. Indicators are used more. Policy effects are easier to follow.
Openness is promoted in government. Public conversations are encouraged. Public confidence grows.
Overall policy is made better. It leads to robust and fair solutions. Governments should consider using systems thinking in all policy areas.
systems thinking is a mental framework that helps us to become better problem solvers. it takes a systemic approach to solving complex issues.
a systems thinking approach to public health policy development is essential as it ensures there has been a thorough investigation into the dynamic complexit...
increased systems thinking capacity—that is, the capacity to consider systemic effects of policies and actions—is necessary for translating knowledge on sustainable development goals’ (sdgs) interactions into practice. various models and tools that seek to support more evidence-based policy-making have been developed with the purpose of exploring system effects across sdgs. however, these often lack integration of behavioral aspects and contextual factors that influence the decision-making process. we analyze three applications of a decision-support approach called sdg synergies, which aims at building capacity in systems thinking among decision-makers and implementing agencies. our objective is to explore how behavior and context influences whether and how knowledge is taken up and acted upon when making decisions. drawing on empirical material from mongolia, colombia, and sri lanka, we identify three sets of mechanisms that appear important for enabling more systemic thinking: system boundaries (time, scale, and space), rules of engagement (ownership, representation, and purpose), and biases (confirmation biases and participation biases). results highlight some key challenges for systemic thinking that merit further attention in future applications, including the importance of localizing sdgs and incorporating this knowledge to national-level assessments, an unwillingness of stakeholders to acknowledge trade-offs, the challenge of addressing transformational as opposed to incremental change, and striking a balance between the flexibility of the approach vis-à-vis scientific robustness.
engineering expertise meets policymaking practice - explore raeng programmes like policy fellowships and system approaches in government that bring systems thinking to government challenges
systems thinking for better social policy: a case study in financial wellbeing
in a world of rapid change and complex challenges, governments are increasingly recognizing the need to think ahead, plan better, and work together. the ministry of finance, national planning and trade of seychelles realized the potential of strategic foresight and systems thinking for adopting a more integrated approach to strategic planning. what started as a collaboration between the government of seychelles, the resident coordinator office (rco) for mauritius and seychelles in 2022, the united nations department of economic and social affairs (un desa), and unitar, is gradually evolving into a way of working for the ministry.
better decisions emerge when we think across systems - understanding how different policies influence health outcomes and economic vitality
in theory, ‘systems thinking’ offers a remarkably attractive solution to the persistent challenges of preventive public health. haynes and colleagues’ recent analysis of the prevention centre in australia offers reason for optimism that it might be possible to translate this promise into action on the ground. in this commentary, we critically assess the claims from this promising case study and their broader applicability to the cause of preventive health. we argue that, in many other contexts, persistent obstacles remain, such as a lack of buy-in from senior policy actors, and a lack of tangible or concrete action following through on an abstract commitment to systems thinking.
by catherine hobbs why does public policy go wrong? how can researchers who are systems thinkers begin to create the conditions in which those involved in public policy may flourish within their po…
under national or state-based legislation, local governments are commonly required to prepare municipal health and wellbeing plans. yet, the issues these plans aim to address are often complex, and programmatic planning approaches traditionally used by practitioners struggle to engage with such complexity as they assume these issues can be ‘solved’ in isolation. systems thinking is increasingly being used as an approach to deal with those struggles more effectively, yet little is known about whether local governments and other stakeholders think systems approaches are feasible and acceptable in practice. this study tested a systems thinking approach to gauge if it could better address complex place-based health and wellbeing issues, such as to reduce noncommunicable diseases. guided by a systems change framework, the approach comprised a facilitated systemic inquiry and rich picture process involving diverse stakeholders in a remote municipality in the australian state of tasmania. among the participants there was broad support for the systems approach tested and they thought it was effective for increasing systems thinking capacity, collaboratively revealing systemic issues, and identifying opportunities to address those issues. they valued the rich picture because it created shared understandings of local issues. the findings suggest more is needed from macro-level policy to support place-based stakeholders to undertake systems approaches in practice, which could result in more sustainable and effective systems change required to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. the findings have implications for theory, research, and practice across interdisciplinary fields concerned with placed-based systems change, especially in rural and remote municipalities.
systems thinking provides new ways of seeing the world, focusing attention on the relationship between elements in complex systems and the spaces inbetween. haynes study shows that many policy-makers valued systems thinking as a new way to approach ...
this article explores the importance of systems thinking as a mindset for designing, developing, procuring and delivering products, services, programs and policies, and how to apply it to product management.
systems thinking brings problems to the surface, making it easier for governments to collectively develop, influence and shape solutions, including in relation to grand missions, policy domains and governments themselves.
climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing present and future generations, with far-reaching impacts on the environment, society and the economy. addressing this complex issue requires a holistic and collaborative approach that goes beyond traditional top-down governance models.
a systems thinking approach is essential for public health policy development, offering a framework to navigate the dynamic complexities inherent in public health issues. this methodology enables policymakers to comprehend the interconnections ...
an overview of thinking in systems and quick tips on how to recognize issues and apply solutions.
systems thinking very much has a role to play across all government priorities.
from complexity to capability: in this blog post, kristian hudson, yharc implementation specialist's recent podcast conversation with professor harvey maylor explores how embracing uncertainty and the interconnectedness of real-world systems – core tenets of complexity science – can revolutionise implementation science. we dive into practical applications and how to shift systems towards better outcomes.
this blog launches “systemic” – a game that simulates how policy-making systems function and possible shifts that can be made to improve policy outcomes. systemic has been inspired by the world of board games, and was co-created by policy lab
cross-industry support for a new systems thinking report will help the built environment sector to deliver joined-up approaches with better results for people, places and planet, says mott macdonald’s global cities lead and fellow, clare wildfire.
alyx slater from food standards agency reflects on why systems thinking is an essential component of policy design.
there is much to be said for systems thinking or a systems-informed approach to key tasks such as evaluation. if the policy problem is complex, then we would not expect a single shot solution to wo…
in november 2022, the centre for science and policy delivered a series of policy workshops on how to apply systems thnking to policy making. these workshops brought together policy makers and experts to discuss health systems, physical infrastructure, and conflict.
explore the idea of systems thinking as a new model for government; a new way of doing, certainly, but also a new way of thinking and being.
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in recent years, there has been a marked rise in the use of systems thinking approaches in uk policy making institutions, especially in environmental domains. to better understand practice
“the covid-19 pandemic has shown what governments can do when faced with an existential threat……”
by catherine hobbs and gerald midgley. originally published on the integration and implementation in
the cecan 2024 conference ‘looking back and looking forward: closing the loop from evaluation to policy making’ considered the questions ‘what is the role of systems thinking in evaluation? is it the answer to wicked problems?’ in one of its breakout sessions.
interest in applying systems thinking (st) in public health and healthcare improvement has increased in the past decade, but its practical use is still uncle...
the challenges facing government tend to be mutlifacted, complex, chronic, social, economic and environmental, and their causes and potential solutions are typically unobvious, suggests paul kett, director general at the department for education. as part of csap's 2020 annual virtual conference, we explored how systems thinking can help government seek solutions to wicked problems.
nihr sphr phd student ke zhou discusses her phd research about how systems approaches can be used to help tackle complex public policy issues. in social welfare and public health, we often aim to address challenging policy problems across many issues, disciplines, and, most importantly, governance departments. to successfully tackle complex questions, a variety of […]