Posts tagged engagement

How can we participate appropriately in complex systems?

Medium, complexity, systems thinking, Frederick Vester, Dietrich Dörner, solutionism, complex systems, engagement, 2017

The German systems scientist, Professor Frederick Vester (2004: 36–37), identified a number of common mistakes that occur as teams are asked to intervene in or ‘manage’ complex dynamic systems. Vester’s insights drew on a series of experiments by the psychologist Dietrich Dörner who had challenged various transdisciplinary teams of 12 different specialists to improve the overall system and infrastructure design of a fictitious country in the developing world. A computer program modelled the impact of their strategies over a century of repeated cycles of interventions. The focus of the study was how teams of experts approach problem-solving, planning and systems interventions. Vester’s analysis of Dörner’s work provides the basis for a useful list of questions that we can ask ourselves to avoid the most common mistakes in dealing with complex systemic issues.

via https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/how-can-we-participate-appropriately-in-complex-systems-aec17e74cd9f