Iceberg Model for Systems Thinking
Events
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Iceberg Model for Systems Thinking
Events
Patterns
Systems
Beliefs
about the
world
Stories
Values
Paradigms
Wetlands Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Wetlands are wasted land, an
unused resource
Wetlands Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Process to encourage development,
markets created, regulations
assisted, etc.
Paradigms
Wetlands are wasted land, an
unused resource
Wetlands Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Wetlands filled in, levees built,
riparian zones changed, etc.
Process to encourage development,
markets created, regulations
assisted, etc.
Paradigms
Wetlands are wasted land, an
unused resource
Wetlands Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Floods, decrease in base flows, lower
water quality, etc.
Wetlands filled in, levees built,
riparian zones changed, etc.
Process to encourage development,
markets created, regulations
assisted, etc.
Paradigms
Wetlands are wasted land, an
unused resource
Time and Type of Change
Events
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Reactive
Adaptive
Creative
Generative
Time and Type of Change
Events
Leverage
for Change
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Reactive
Adaptive
Creative
Generative
Change happens in steps
No change
forever
No change
forever
No change
forever
Paradigm Shift
Events
Paradigms
Systems
Patterns
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Events
System Thinking As A Perspective
•Think long term
•See the big picture
•Focus on structure, not on blame
•Look for interdependence and cause and effect relationships
•Change perspectives to see new leveraging points
•Consider how metal models determine our future
•Hold the tension of paradox and controversy without feeling
the need to resolve them quickly
Mechanistic Thinking
Parts
Objects
Events
Isolation
Specificity
Statics
Simplicity
Systems Thinking
Wholes
Relationships
Structures
Interdependence
Generality
Dynamics
Complexity
Pre CWA Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Rivers on Fire, toxic waste sites
(extremes), etc.
Pre CWA Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Rivers on Fire, toxic waste sites
(extremes), etc.
Illnesses, dead zones, unusable
water, etc.
Pre CWA Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Rivers on Fire, toxic waste sites
(extremes), etc.
Illnesses, dead zones, unusable
water, etc.
Infrastructures that did not treat
water, used waterways as disposal,
little regulation, etc.
Pre CWA Example
Events
Patterns
Systems
Rivers on Fire, toxic waste sites
(extremes), etc.
Illnesses, dead zones, unusable
water, etc.
Infrastructures that did not treat
water, used waterways as disposal,
little regulation, etc.
Paradigms
Waterbodies can absorb pollution
from our activities
CWA RESPONSE
Events
Patterns
Systems
Beach closure ecoli- go back to
system, etc.
Uses protected, pollutants added,
etc.
CWA, local regulations, Capital
infrastructure investment, cost
sharing, etc.
Paradigms
We CAN treat pollutants, and will.
CWA RESPONSE
Events
Patterns
Systems
Beach closure ecoli- go back to
system, etc.
Uses protected, pollutants added,
etc.
CWA, local regulations, Capital
infrastructure investment, cost
sharing, etc.
Paradigms
We CAN treat pollutants, and will.
SCALE And the NPS Problem
$ 1 million provided
2%
98%
For a $2 billion
problem
SCALE And the NPS Problem
$ 1 million provided
2%
98%
For a $2 billion
problem
Measuring success as if
receive $2 billion
NEW PARADIGM for these
pollutants
Events
Clean water for the future.....
Who knows?
Patterns
Systems
Paradigms
Continue to define limits, monitoring
discharges but create systems that
prevent untreatable (cost/technology)
pollutants, who knows?
Prevention is the way, we CAN’T
treat everything cost effective