Systems 2030 - Emergent themes

摘要

An overriding conclusion from the symposium is that there is an urgent need to communicate what systems thinking is, and how it relates to systems engineering. As a foundation for this a 10-point Systems Thinking Manifesto has emerged as follows:rn(1) Systems thinking is a philosophy of approach which encompasses and extends scientific reductionism. It is a system of thought for integration and synergy.rn(2) Systems thinking is needed to tackle the challenges of modern complex systems such as climate change, terrorism, integration of various value systems, governance of large organisations, encouraging innovation and managing uncertainty and risk in a modern democracy.rn(3) Systems thinking therefore extends beyond engineering and should be promoted among (a) specialists who will be better able to relate their specialism to wider needs; (b) strategic thinkers who will be better able to relate the big picture to specialist knowledge and skills; and (c) the general public who will be better able to appreciate the challenges of complexity.rn(4) Systems thinking needs to form an integral part of the education of everyone from school through to continuous professional development.rn(5) Systems thinking is founded on three key ideas: layers, loops and 'new process'.rn(6) Layers contain holons which are, at the same time, both parts and wholes.rn(7) Loops define the connectivity and relationships from which spring emergence. Emergent properties define how the whole is more than the sum of its parts.rn(8) 'New process' defines how change happens and is captured using the questions why, how, who, what, where and when.rn(9) The output of a process may be a product but that in itself has a life cycle and is also a process. (10) Systems thinkers use evidence that may be combinations of quantitative and qualitativerninformation to monitor the progress of a process towards fulfilling its purpose.rnFinally it is concluded that systems thinking is an essential skill for systems engineers, but one that is shared with many disciplines. It provides a key intellectual underpinning for systems engineering.