Advanced Projects, Inc.

     Systems Thinking

Systems Thinking (or analysis) is a discipline used to perform static and dynamic analysis of non-hardware systems. (This is not restricted to the various uses of the word system as applied to computer systems.) A system is generally defined as a 'coordinated arrangement of working elements.' W. Edwards Deming noted, 'Without an Aim, there is no system.'

Introduction to Systems Thinking

A short, non-technical introduction to systems thinking.

How Systems Thinking Can Improve the Results of Innovation Efforts

An examination of how using systems thinking can prevent the potential waste of valuable innovation efforts.

Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline) defined a number of System Archetypes to aid recognizing, analyzing, and modifying specific systems. He describes how the Limits to Growth archetype requires identifying and raising the system constraint. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) takes this recommendation to much greater depth, proposing a process to Identify, Exploit, Subordinate, and only then Elevate the constraint, and finally to do it over again. With this approach and the Thinking Process, TOC provides a powerful method to manage this most common of system archetypes.

Systems Thinking and System Engineering are related. The term Systems Thinking is more generally applied to systems that include non-physical parts, such as economic systems, government systems, interpersonal relationships, markets, and organizations. System engineering is generally concerned with the physical parts of designing, fabricating, maintaining, and operating physical systems, including computer hardware and software. System engineering can include people software, such as procedures, training, and policies.

Senge describes the Theory of Constraints (although not calling it by that name) in his description of the Limits to Growth archetype. Goldratt recognizes the link of TOC to Systems Thinking, but I have not found him to refer to the limits to growth archetype as a foundation for TOC. Goldratt has taken the study and understanding of this one archetype to great breadth and depth.

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We work with systems in several ways. We offer the following specific products:

• Systems training.
• System causal loop modeling.
• System dynamic modeling with the iThink (copyright) computer code.
• Root cause analysis with the Thinking Process (see TOC), Kepner-Tregoe, MORT, or other methods.
• System strategic planning.
• Complex systems training.
• Organizational analysis.