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Systems Thinking vs Design Thinking

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https://www.triarchypress.net/design-and-systems-thinking.html

Systems Thinking and Design Thinking

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The principal obstruction for a manager [Russ Ackoff]


Our habit (in the West, at least) has for a long time been take any complex system (like a business), separate it out into its component parts and then try to manage each part as well as possible. Parts could here refer to different departments or work processes or products or individuals. If that's done, the theory goes, the system as a whole will behave well. The problem is that it's perfectly possible to improve the performance of one part (even many parts) and yet disable or destroy the system as a whole at the same time. Obvious examples would be two often cited by Russ Ackoff: the benefits of DDT in controlling malaria and yellow fever and of Thalidomide in treating anxiety and insomnia.

By contrast, Systems Thinking looks at relationships (rather than unrelated objects), connectedness, process (rather than structure), the whole (rather than just its parts), the patterns (rather than the contents) of a system, and context. Thinking systemically also requires several shifts in perception, which lead in turn to different ways to teach, and different ways to organize society.

That definition assumes a definition of a system something like this one (from Bill Bellows):

"A system is set or pattern of relationships that work together in some fashion. Systems can accomplish things that would be impossible if the same elements were put into random relationships, or no relationships at all...

Although we may sometimes take it for granted, we get enormous value from systems every day. We benefit continually from various smart puttings-together of resources that provide us with food, transportation, education, goods and services..."

Systems Thinking for Curious Managers is a very good introduction to the subject and its key ideas.

Design Thinking uses the definitions and assumptions of Systems Thinking and focuses on applying them to innovative processes for problem-solving and decision-making.

See the full list of Design and Systems Thinking  books from Triarchy below:


BOOKS: Design & Systems Thinking

 


 

https://simplicable.com/new/design-thinking-vs-systems-thinking

Design Thinking vs Systems Thinking

        posted by John Spacey, August 20, 2016


Design thinking is the use of synthesis to solve problems. Systems thinking is the use of big-picture-thinking.

Building Up vs Breaking Down

Design thinking is a process of synthesis. This means that it approaches problems by building things up and creating.Systems thinking is most often associated with analysis. This is the process of breaking things down into their component parts in order to understand them. In theory, systems thinking can also use synthesis but in practice it tends to be more on the analysis side of things.

Narrow vs Wide

Systems thinking looks at end-to-end impacts of strategies to consider effects such as unintended consequences. Design thinking potentially, but not necessarily, has a more narrow focus. As an example, systems thinking might look at a new product for its impact on the competition, your brand, customers, financial performance and operations considering opportunity costs in each area. Design thinking might be focused on creating a product that customers will like without much thought for secondary impacts.

Relationship

There isn't a strong relationship between design thinking and systems thinking. They aren't opposites nor do they have much in common. They aren't mutually exclusive and can be used together to solve problems.

 

Design Thinking vs Systems Thinking
 
Design Thinking Systems Thinking
Definition The use of synthesis to create value and solve problems. Thinking about strategy from an end-to-end perspective that considers broad implications.
Primarily Associated With Synthesis AnalysisBig-picture-thinking
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Design Thinking

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