| A systems thinking approach is often used to help | | | | handled. It is also a good method to use for situations |
| understand events, patterns of behavior, as well as the | | | | that seem to go on and on, but which are never really |
| underlying structure, circumstances and patterns. It can | | | | resolved. |
| be useful for understanding why things are as they | | | | Fixing the "Fix" |
| are, as well as what could be done to change the | | | | Sometimes companies put a fix in place that ultimately |
| situation and improve the results. This approach | | | | does not work. In some cases what was tried |
| requires a good understanding of the underlying | | | | previously went too far and actually overshot the |
| structure of a situation to determine how the system | | | | intended goal. In other cases, the fix worked for a |
| should be changed. To successfully use this method, it | | | | while, but the problem eventually returned. Sometimes |
| will be necessary to identify the leverage points in the | | | | a company may use a particular fix too frequently, and |
| processes where changes would have the most | | | | over time it loses its effectiveness. In other cases, a fix |
| pronounced effect. | | | | may have been found to create additional problems, |
| When this approach is used, it is important to define | | | | so there may be a reluctance to try it again under |
| the situation accurately in a way that does not try to | | | | other circumstances. When a previously attempted fix |
| describe the actual solution, as this would reduce the | | | | fails, there is a tendency to give up or lower the |
| rational nature of the approach. Adopting a systems | | | | standards. In these cases, a systems thinking approach |
| thinking approach is not always easy. In fact, most | | | | can help provide a rational solution that will work. |
| times it will require a significant amount of effort and | | | | |
| resources. However, for some situations, it can | | | | Growth Issues |
| produce the best results. Here are three guidelines that | | | | In some cases, a company's growth can simply slow |
| can help determine when a systems thinking approach | | | | down over time. Growth may be limited by one or |
| might be useful. | | | | more factors, or there may be a problem with limited |
| Complicated Issues | | | | resources or insufficient capacity. In some cases, the |
| Because this method of thinking tends to produce a | | | | growth that is occurring is also causing a decline |
| very rational answer, it can be useful when there are a | | | | somewhere else in the business. A systems thinking |
| lot of different perspectives on a situation or | | | | approach can help a company identify the cause of |
| disagreements as to how the situation should be | | | | the growth issues, and come up with a logical solution. |