Systems Thinking Vocabulary
Global Studies – Atkins – Fall 2010
As a class we created a “system” outside to illustrate these ideas with the “connection
circle” exercise. Key elements of a system are:
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change over time – the behavior of the system changes as time passes
interdependence – elements of a system affect each other; the nature of the system
is defined by the effects of the interdependencies, rather than just by the elements
of the system
feedback – an effect of the system re-entering the system as a cause
leverage – considering where actions and changes can lead to significant, lasting
improvements
structure generates behavior – the way that things are organized creates the
behavior we see
delays – time lags between actions and effects. And effects and actions
boundaries – definition of all that is required to produce the behavior of the
system and elimination of all else