Systems Theory Research Network

• What are we talking about

• What do we want to achieve

• How do we go about it

Key Words - Large / Complex

Large         number of elements,         variety of elements         hard to define boundary Complex        types of Interaction between elements        each element has a range of responses / behaviours        variety of system outcomes / behaviours        many levels 

Key Words - Hard / Soft Complementarity ?1. same system but different aspects or problems require

different approaches

2. different classes of problem / system require different approaches

 If 1 then large & complex is most likely to call for

combined approaches. 2 is unsatisfactory unless there is a unifying theory behind. 

Examples ?

• Systems that are hard to control

• ‘unintended effects’

• Failures and disasters

• Spectacular successes

Process

• What page are we on / would like to be on

• What would be a good outcome?

• How do know when we have got there?

• What processes do we need to move in that direction?