Systems Thinking and Design
Unit code: HBF547
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 36 hours of contact in weekly or block mode |
| Campus | Hawthorn |
| Prerequisites | Nil |
| Corequisites | Nil |
Related course(s)
A unit of study in the Master of Management (Strategic Foresight) suite.
Aims and objectives
After taking this unit of study participants will:
- Understand what is systems thinking and design and how is it important to Futures Studies and Foresight Capabilities
- Be familiar with some of the tools of systems thinking and design and have knowledge of how those tools can improve foresight practice
- Have developed sufficient skills in system thinking and design to enable their use to complement other units of study in the Strategic Foresight Program
Teaching methods
A range of teaching methods will be used, including lectures, presentations and small group activities.
Generic skills outcomes
Learners bring to Swinburne University of Technology a range of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes. Within this context it is the intent of Swinburne that all its graduates:
- are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- operate effectively in work and community situations
- are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- are aware of the dynamic nature of environments
Content
The purpose of this unit is to build student’s capability to use a suite of systems thinking and design methodologies, and through structured case study applications, how to apply these methods to complement foresight methods covered elsewhere in the Masters of Foresight Program. As one of the capstone units, this unit has a strong practical application and implementation emphasis. It will be directly relevant to students who wish to facilitate foresight processes as intervention in a range of settings including business and volunteer organisations, community groups or other setting where practical improvement is sought.
Topics covered:
- Intervention as Action Inquiry and Foresight
- Systems Mapping and Diagramming Techniques
- Soft Systems and Design Methods
- Causal Analysis and Causal Mapping
- Hard Systems Design
- Large Systems Facilitation Methods
- Searching and Designing Ideal Futures
- Advanced Concepts in Systems Mapping
References
Bunker, BB & Allan, BT (1997) Large Group Interventions: Engaging the Whole System for Rapid Change. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco
Checkland, P & Holwell, S (1999) Information, Systems and Information Systems. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.
Flood, RL. (1997) 'Action Research and the Management Sciences'. International Journal of Systemic Practice and Action Research (SPAR), Vol 11, No1.
Holman, P & Devane, T (Eds) (1999) The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.
Maani, Kambiz & Cavana, (2000) Systems Thinking and Modelling – Understanding Change and Complexity. Pearson Education, Aukland.
Meadows, DH, Randers, J & Meadows, DL (2004) Beyond the Limits – The 30 Year Update Earthscan, London.
Nelson, HG & Stolteman, E (2003). The Design Way: Intentional Change in an Unpredictable World. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Owen, H (2000) The Power of Spirit: How Organizations Transform. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.
Reason, P & Bradbury, H (2000) Handbook of Action Research – Participative Inquiry and Practice. Sage Publications, London.
Sherwood, D (2002) Seeing the Forest for the Trees – A managers guide to applying Systems Thinking. Nicholas Brealey Publishing, London.
Sterman, JD (2000) Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World, Irwin McGraw-Hill.
Checkland, P & Holwell, S (1999) Information, Systems and Information Systems. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.
Flood, RL. (1997) 'Action Research and the Management Sciences'. International Journal of Systemic Practice and Action Research (SPAR), Vol 11, No1.
Holman, P & Devane, T (Eds) (1999) The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.
Maani, Kambiz & Cavana, (2000) Systems Thinking and Modelling – Understanding Change and Complexity. Pearson Education, Aukland.
Meadows, DH, Randers, J & Meadows, DL (2004) Beyond the Limits – The 30 Year Update Earthscan, London.
Nelson, HG & Stolteman, E (2003). The Design Way: Intentional Change in an Unpredictable World. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Owen, H (2000) The Power of Spirit: How Organizations Transform. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.
Reason, P & Bradbury, H (2000) Handbook of Action Research – Participative Inquiry and Practice. Sage Publications, London.
Sherwood, D (2002) Seeing the Forest for the Trees – A managers guide to applying Systems Thinking. Nicholas Brealey Publishing, London.
Sterman, JD (2000) Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World, Irwin McGraw-Hill.
