SYSTEMS THINKING IN THE WORKPLACE.

4 Mins. Read

Article

SYSTEMS THINKING IN
THE WORKPLACE.

4 Mins. Read

FREE.3 PAGES

Systems

A system is a complete entity that consists of two or more parts that are related to each other and an environment. The human body is a system. The human body is made up of different parts – the head, the hands, the legs, etc. Without the head, the rest of the body cannot function effectively. The same thing goes for the hands and the legs too.

Systems have three parts.

Elements
Interconnection
A Purpose

A workplace is a system. The elements of the workplace include the members of staff and the office equipment. The various units in the workplace are interrelated and they work together to achieve the goals of the company.

There are systems all around us. The family unit is a system. The community, which is made up of various families, is also a system. The thing with systems is whatever happens to one component affects the other components. Let us use the body as an example. If you have a headache, it makes the rest of your body feel weak and you might be unable to do certain routine tasks. We can also use our ecosystem as an example. The depletion of the Ozone layer due to nitrogenous compounds, Chlorofluorocarbons, and unregulated rocket launches, has led to serious unintended consequences. It has affected humans, animals, the environment, and marine life.

When we learn to view the world as a series of systems and understand our part within them, we can begin to make better decisions, be better teammates, and find various ways to be more productive in all areas of our lives.

What then is systems thinking?

Systems thinking is a way of exploring and developing effective action by looking at connected wholes rather than separate parts. Simply put, it is a comprehensive approach to investigate factors and interactions that could contribute to a possible outcome. Systems thinking is a powerful approach to support evidence-based decision making and is essential to the successful delivery of complex projects where there are many stakeholders and many possible solutions.

Within the workplace, it helps teams to become more aware of how they are interacting with each other and within the team, it helps them understand the outcomes they are producing.

Systems thinking within the workplace.

Systems thinking can serve as a useful tool in the management of an organization. It helps explain how the different entities within an organization interact and make up the system. The various units within an organization work together toward a goal(s).

Aside from understanding how various components work with and affect each other, employees who are systems thinkers also consider how their actions in any component can affect the system. In the area of supply and demand, system thinkers know when their input will be needed and the factors that affect demand. They also know the capacity of their organization to meet demand.

Feedback is a core part of systems thinking in the workplace. Acting on relevant feedback allows the leaders in an organization to come up with solutions to problems.

Business leaders, who are also system thinkers, find a way of tying the personal goals of the various employees to the overall goals of the company. That way, when an employee achieves a personal goal, it means that the company goal is a step closer to being achieved. System thinkers employ a management style that emphasizes rewarding employees’ accomplishments.

They regularly update employees about the company’s main objectives and how their contributions are each individually important in the achievement of those objectives.

Systems thinking make it easier to spot patterns and feedback loops in the way employees, project teams or departments interact. A feedback loop is when you use customer or employee feedback to improve on your product or service offering.

With a systems approach, you realize everything is interrelated. Each person needs their co-workers to achieve success. The systems style of thinking gives you the tools to integrate interconnectivity, creativity, and productivity into your workplace.

More importantly, systems thinking turns employees into lovers of problems as they will now see it as an exciting opportunity. Rather than run away from problems, they will see these problems as potential ways to innovate and develop their creativity.

No matter how large or small your organization is, it is ultimately made up of different parts. To address problems, you must look at the interconnected dynamics of the system. It helps you to come up with long-term solutions to the problems. Systems thinking helps your business become a more efficient one. Give it a shot today.