"Systemic thinking" is the process of understanding how systems influence one another within a world of systems and has been defined as an approach to problem solving by viewing "problems" as parts of an overall system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome, or event.

This book provides a complete overview of systemic thinking, exploring a framework and graphical technique for understanding and identifying new ways to more efficiently solve problems and create solutions. Demystifying the conjunction of systems concepts and systemic diagramming techniques, this comprehensive pocket guide introduces and explains the basis of systemigrams, how to create a systemigram and a SystemiShow, illuminates multiple complex problems, and provides an overview of what purpose they serve for today's industry professionals.

Systemic Thinking: Building Maps for Worlds of Systems:

Includes illustrative systemigrams and case studiesIncludes the SystemiTool software, developed by the authorsProvides an overview of systemic thinking, particularly with regard to systemigramsIncorporates graphical representations of systemigramsInstructs how and when to implement a systemigram when a problem arises

An invaluable book for industry professionalsspecifically, technical leaders in industry and business trying to confront complex problemsSystemic Thinking is also ideal for postgraduate students in engineering and business management.

JOHN BOARDMAN is Principal of John Boardman Associates, a consultancy and training provider specializing in applied systemic thinking. He was formerly Distinguished Service Professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he is now Adjunct Professor in the School of Systems and Enterprises.

BRIAN SAUSER is an Associate Professor of Complex Logistics Systems at the University of North Texas. He previously managed an applied research and development laboratory in life sciences and engineering at the NASA Johnson Space Center and was the Program Director of the New Jersey NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training before joining Stevens Institute of Technology. He was also a Project Specialist with ASRC Aerospace.

LIST OF SYSTEMIGRAMS ix

LIST OF FIGURES xiii

LIST OF TABLES xv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xvii

JOURNEY I SYSTEMIC FAILURE 1

1 WHERE WE START FROM 3

2 SYSTEMIC INTRODUCTION 6

3 RAINING ON MY CASCADE 11

4 ITS THE WHOLE, STUPID! 16

5 THE ANSWER IS . . . PIONEER ACORN PANCAKES? 23

JOURNEY II SYSTEMIC IDEAS: THE CONCEPTAGON 29

6 FRAMEWORKS 31

7 THE CONCEPTAGON 35

8 BOUNDARIES, INTERIORS, AND EXTERIORS 38

9 PARTS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND WHOLES 46

10 INPUTS, OUTPUTS, AND TRANSFORMATIONS 57

11 CONTROL, COMMAND, AND COMMUNICATION 62

12 STRUCTURE, PROCESS, AND FUNCTION 76

13 VARIETY, PARSIMONY, AND HARMONY 86

14 OPENNESS, HIERARCHY, AND EMERGENCE 93

JOURNEY III SYSTEMIC MAPS: SYSTEMIGRAMS 99

15 WHAT . . . ? 101

16 WHY . . . ? 120

17 WHEN . . . ? 140

18 HOW . . . ? 158

19 WHO . . . ? 183

20 WHERE . . . ? 204

21 TO ARRIVE WHERE WE STARTED 233

REFERENCES 236

INDEX 238