2013-09-19
September 19 was the ninth meeting for Systems Thinking Ontario. The registration was at https://st-on-2013-09-19.eventbrite.com/ .
Theme: Systems Thinking and and Design Thinking: Problematization and Framing
This meeting is the first in the series of three based on "Systemic Design Principles for Complex Social Systems", Peter H. Jones, a chapter in Social Systems and Design, Gary Metcalf (editor), Volume 1 of the Translational Systems Science Series, Springer Verlag (2013). [published in 2014 by Springer] [preprint available on request from Peter Jones]
Suggested pre-reading:
From the list of 10 design principles, the first four are related to problematization and framing.
A core set of systemic design principles shared between design and systems disciplines is proposed. The following are based on meta-analysis of concepts selected from system sciences and design theory sources. Design principles were selected that afford significant power in both design and systems applications, and are sufficiently mature and supported by precedent to be adapted without risk.
1. Idealization
Jerry Michalski, on "A Brief Guide to Interactive Planning and Idealized Design" at http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2003/10/a_brief_guide_t.html points to Russell Ackoff 2001 article posted at http://www.ida.liu.se/~steho/und/htdd01/AckoffGuidetoIdealizedRedesign.pdf .
2. Wickedness
Jeff Conklin, "Wicked Problems" at http://www.cognexus.org/id42.htm points to Horst W.J. Rittel and Melvin M. Webber, "Dilemmas in the General Theory of Planning, Policy Sciences 4 (1973) 155-169 at http://www.uctc.net/mwebber/Rittel+Webber+Dilemmas+General_Theory_of_Planning.pdf
3. Purpose
Bela A. Banathy, "A Taste of Systemics", ISSS Primer Project, at http://www.isss.org/taste.html
4. Boundary framing
The Design Thinking Research Symposium 8, University of Technology Sydney at http://www.dab.uts.edu.au/research/conferences/dtrs8/ points to Bec Paton and Kees Dorst, "Briefing and Reframing at http://www.dab.uts.edu.au/research/conferences/dtrs8/docs/DTRS8-Paton-et-al.pdf
5. Requisite variety
6. Feedback coordination
7. Ordering
8. Generative emergence
9. Continuous adaptation
10. Self-organizing
While these principles may appear to assume universality across literatures, the intent is for applicability and adaptability of principles, not a fundamental baseline. (Jones, 2013).
Participants should not feel limited to this suggested pre-reading, but should recognize that other attendees may have not read, or are reading differently, that article.
Agenda
Problematizing and Framing
Systems design principles for social systems
Relationship btwn systemic principles in social systems and design methodology
Designing for wicked problems as a way of making sense of the best preferred actions in a problem situation that is not inherently analyzable
Changes in health care – multi-causal system
Ssbm - - making sense of business models w/in organizations
Systems thinkers to be understood by designers – social systems as a series of design artifacts
Relating different principles of design to a systems context
10 principals (first four)
Idealizations
Wickedness
Purpose
Boundary framing
General systems theory + design thinking principals – overlap
Methods (ways of knowing and doing) that come together under different theories
How can design benefit systems thinking?
Design thinking = popular/marketable
Systems thinking (David Ing): the study of parts and wholes contrasted w analysis – how parts fit together
Business model field lacking in sytems thinking vs. Sustainability field which depends heavily upon systems thinking (enviro, econ, social)
Human centredness, groups of people w particular interests or needs (stakeholders – bringing them together to discuss) {no longer entrepreneur as hero – entrepreneur as convener}, facilitating stakeholders – help them to have meaningful dialogue, iterative inquiry – reintegration, multiple design actions over time
Idealization – whenever you have a system of inquiry – one kind: seeking out an ideal solution/goal – you might not reach it but at least it’s the goal?
Wickedness – appreciating the complexity in a situation
Purpose
Boundary framing – any system that you decide to explore has boundaries defined by you. (cognitive boundaries too)
Contextual engangement
Boundary Framing
Personal – biases – if we come into a meeting as systems thinking – trying to sell/share
Value system
Cultural/political
Framing – door frame/window/picture – the way youre viewing something (telescope)
What type of light – so many different filters
Glasses – size colour etc of lens
Stakeholders – who are you trying to make happy
Anecdote: substitute teacher – girl crumples paper, tosses to trash, it misses and sits there
Frame effects how you view something
Looking at limited set of resources
Language – how people express themselves
To what extent can we collaborate – how are we experiencing different things?
How many people are around this frame looking through this frame
Limited time for everybody looking through the frame
Time as the ultimate currency – moving target
By the time you define the frame, it has changed
Boundaries
Looking at a set of data w/in a frame? – how does boundary mean differently
Framing initial, boundary next
Framing initial statement of what you want to do
Where do we begin to find value in setting boundaries? – design committees suck
Wicked problems – theres no perfect solution – starting w a frame allows you to begin together
Wicked problems as evolutionary issues
W/in the context of boundaries –
When can groups be effective? – I want to be understood/validated/appreciated by you
Assertion of the self vs. experience of togetherness
Easier if focused on problem
How do we talk about what were talking about?
Vocabulary as a medium of mediation
How do I step forward if I don’t know where forward is?
Boundary vs. frame