Module 3 Systems archetypes

SYSTEMS ARCHETYPES:Generic Systems Structures

Professor Ockie Bosch

Dr Nam Nguyen

Systems Archetypes (SAs)

Generic systems models representing a wide range of

situations;

High-level map of dynamic processes;

‘Reveal an incredibly elegant simplicity underlying the

complexity of management issues …’ (Senge, 2006,

p.93);

Systems archetypes will always suggest areas of high and

low leverage change (Senge, 2006).

© Professor Ockie Bosch and Dr Nam Nguyen

Side Effect

S

Symptomatic

‘Solution’/Quick Fix

Problem

Symptom

S

Fundamental

Solution

O

O

R

B1

O

S

B2

“Shifting the Burden”: Structure(adapted from Senge, 2006; Maani and Cavana, 2007)


A short-term ‘solution’ is used to correct a problem,with immediate positive results;

Fundamental long-term corrective measures are usedless and less;

Management principle: Focus on the fundamentalsolution. If symptomatic solution is imperative, use it togain time while working towards the fundamentalsolution.


“Shifting the Burden”: Summary(adapted from Senge, 2006)

(Parent)

Buying

lollies

(Children)

Crying for

lollies

B1

S

O

S‘Educating’ the

children

B2

O

Delay

Asking for

lollies every

timeR

S

O


“Shifting the Burden”: Example

Unintended

Consequence

R

B

S

O

S

S

FixProblem


“Fixes that Fail”: Structure(adapted from Senge, 2006; Maani and Cavana, 2007)

An action (a ‘fix’), effective in the short-term, has unforseenlong-term consequences which may require even more use ofthe same ‘fix’;

Typically a result of addressing the symptoms of problems,rather than the root causes;

Management principle: Look for root causes that areresponsible for the symptoms. When addressing symptoms, lookfor ways to reduce/mitigate negative impacts. Take action byrelieving immediate pain, but continue working towards findinglong-term solutions that will address the root causes of theproblem.


“Fixes that Fail”: Summary(adapted from Continuous Improvement Associates, 2003; Senge, 2006)

Pest

(cane beetle)

Fix

(cane toad)B

S

O

“Feral

species”

R

S

S


“Fixes that Fail”: Example

A’s Activity Net Gain for A

B’s Activity Net Gain for B

R1

R2

S

S

S

S

Resource Limit

S

S

O

Total ActivityGain per

Individual Activity

B1

B2S

SO


“Tragedy of the Commons”: Structure(adapted from Senge, 2006; Maani and Cavana, 2007)

Individuals use a commonly available but limited resource solely

on the basis of individual needs;

The resource is either significantly depleted or entirely

exhausted;

Management principle: Manage the ‘commons’ either through

educating everyone and creating forms of self-regulation and

peer pressure, or through an official regulating mechanism

(ideally to be designed by participants).


“Tragedy of the Commons”: Summary(adapted from Senge, 2006)

graduates

Source: Yen, 2013

Source: Ong, 2013


“Tragedy of the Commons”: Example

Limiting Action

Constraints

BEfforts PerformanceRS

S SS


“Limits to Success/Growth”: Structure(adapted from Senge, 2006; Maani and Cavana, 2007)

O

A process feeds on itself to produce a period of

accelerated growth or expansion; then

The growth begins to slow and eventually comes to a

halt;

Management principle: Do not push on the reinforcing

(growth) process, remove (or weaken) the sources of

limitations/constraints.


“Limits to Growth”: Summary(adapted from Senge, 2006)

Source: Thompson, 2013

S


“Limits to Growth”: Example

Nguyen, Bosch et al. (2011). Creating ‘Learning Laboratories’ for SD in Biospheres - A Systems Thinking Approach. SR & BS, 28 (1), pp 51-62. © Professor Ockie Bosch and Dr Nam Nguyen

Archetypes in the Systems Model of CBBR

Tourism revenue Number of touristsAttraction of Cat

Ba island

Constraints

S

S O

S O

R B

Nguyen and Bosch (2013). A Systems Thinking Approach to identify Leverage Points for Sustainability... SR & BS, 30 (2), pp 104-115.


Tourism development: ‘Limits to Growth’


Number of tourists Staying and catering

problems

Hotels and

restaurants

Pollution

S

S

O

S

S

B

R


Tourism development: ‘Fixes that Fail’


Investment in

tourismTourism revenue

Total investment

activities

Investment in

agriculture

Agriculture

revenue

Revenue per each

industry

Carrying capacities

S

S

S

S

S

S

O

S

S

S

R

R

B

B


Carrying capacities: ‘Tragedy of the Commons’


Problems in Cat Ba

International $

Long-term

solutions

Dependance on

international assistance

S

O

S

O

S

O

B

B

R


International aid: ‘Shifting the Burden’

Study the other SAs (reading provided in class);

Work in groups and present two examples of SAs (either related to the group project or generic).


Class exercises of Systems Archetypes

Module 3 Systems archetypes

Education

Transcript of Module 3 Systems archetypes