Systems Thinking

Tree-by-Tree Thinking

• narrow, highly disaggregated with many variables per relationship
• the longer we operate within one function, the more details we tend to see and the less perspective there is on the whole
• decomposing and breaking things down
• problem: get pulled down into more and more detail, refining the analysis with increasing numerical accuracy.  However, detail and numerical accuracy often is insufficient for break through understanding.

Forest Thinking

• broad, highly aggregated with few variables per relationship
• reduces the depth that can be viewed; broader, yet shallower picture
• synthesis, putting pieces together into different combinations
• view the system of relationships that link the component parts
• skills needed: proper elevation above the detail and the ability to filter our the non-essential detail

Building elevation skills:
- Boundaries - what assumptions are limiting your view?
- Walls - what organizations or cultural structures are limiting?

Building filtering skills:
- Look for similarities, not differences (very difficult since differentiation is at the core of our learning)
- Also train your mind to focus on what's most important

Jump to System Thinking Resources for more information.

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Last modified: August 22, 2005