SystemsUnderstanding a system... ...so you can assess its future

Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework

for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static 'snapshots.'

Peter Senge © 2013 University of Notre Dame. All rights reserved. This PowerPoint presentation may not be duplicated, distributed or excerpted without the University’s advance written consent.

Primary Question of Systems Thinking

Why does a system act the way it does?

Understanding a system… …so you can assess its future?

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Guiding Principles

1. Everything is interconnected, at least indirectly

2. Interaction can create unexpected or counterintuitive results

3. Complexity makes system behavior difficult to predict

Understanding a system So you can assess its future…

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System Structures

Control-Based Systems

Agent-Based Systems

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A system’s behavior is a function of its STRUCTURE

Control-Based Systems

Agent-Based Systems

Closed

Command and Control

Rational, more predictable

Direct causal relations

Direct feedback

Explanation & prediction

Possibility of control

(Cybernetic) (Complex-Adaptive)

Open

Grassroots

Unpredictable

No direct causality

Reciprocal feedback

Explanation but not prediction

Surprising, creative, innovative

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Systems can exhibit properties of both

Control-based and Agent-based Structures

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Systems can evolve from one structure to the other…

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1. “Tell the Story” of your systemHow do resources and value flow through the system?What forces are pressuring the system?Who has influence and what are their priorities?

2.Get the Level of Complexity RightYou want a framework for thinking, not a perfect, all-inclusive model

3.Think Visually and Seek Cross-ImpactsVisualize how the system works now and also how change

will impact how it will work in the future

Mapping The System

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Articulate System BoundariesEstimate Stakeholder Influence Illustrate a System DiagramOutline Forces of ChangeUtilize a Force Field Analysis

Mapping the System

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Articulate the System Boundaries

Organizational Boundary

Macroenvironment Boundary

Operating Environment Boundary

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Hi InterestLow Interest

Hi Influence

Low Influence

Estimate Stakeholder Influence

Stakeholder Primary Concerns / Objectives

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Hi InterestLow Interest

Hi Influence

Low Influence

Estimate Stakeholder Influence

Players

Coaches

Athl. Dir.Future

Recruits

Fans(Students)

Media(NBC)

NFL

NCAA

Sponsors

Opponents Fans (Donors)

BCS

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Illustrating a System Diagram

Players

CoachesOpponent

s

BCS Bowl

Games

Games

Teaching

ExpectationsPerformance

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Players

Coaches

Opponents

Univ of Notre Dame

Athletic

Dept.

NCAA

BCS Bowl

Games

Fans

StudentsAlums

SportsMedia

NFL

Conferences

System Diagram: Mapping Resource/Value Flows

High School Player

s

Recruiting

Recruiting

Stan

dard

s

Disciplin

e

Visibility Visi

bilit

y

Visib

ilit

yGlor

y

Glory

Hiring

Spiri

t/Hom

e Fiel

d

Adv$$$

$$$

Outrage

Glory

Stab

ilit

y

Games

Fan Base

$$$

Rules/Enforce

ment

Rule

s/Enf

Rule

s/

Enfo

rcem

ent

Rule

s/En

forc

emen

t

Sponsors $$$Endors

e

$$$

$$$C

are

er Pa

th ?

Care

er Pa

thCa

reer

Pa

th

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Outline Forces of Change

Drivers of Change• BCS/Conference

Realignments• Program Success &

Funding• Attention to Safety

• Players (Concussions)

• Staff• Media Visibility &

Scrutiny1. Social Media2. Emerging Sports

Media• Tech. Innovations

1. Equipment2. Training & Nutrition3. Stadiums

• S.B. Economic Development

Constraints of Change• Academic Standards• Weather / Location• Turbulence in H.S. Education

• Teaching Outcomes• Extracurr. Funding

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Utilize a Force Field Analysis

Force of Change

Trajectory

Impact onStatus Quo

1

2

3

Identify Prioritize

Continuous vs. Discont. Emerging vs. Mature Linear vs. Exponential Limit?

Assessing the Impact of Change© 2013 University of Notre Dame. All rights reserved.

Utilize a Force Field Analysis

Scope / BoundariesTime Horizon

Force of Change Trajectory Impact on Status Quo

Force Field Analysis

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• Does the system for ND Football behave more like a Control-Based or Agent-Based system?

• Could this framework transition in the future?

Control vs. Agent Based System?...

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Preparation for Class #10

Systems Mapping Workshop Class Preparation

Review discussion questions related to Mapping the System for your topic

MEET IN ALTERNATIVE CLASSROOM

Scanning Posts Due __________ Current Assessments Due __________

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