Systems Purpose
Systems Purpose
A critical activity of any systemic inquiry is to gain clarity on the system as it currently operates in order to define the purpose that it serves. Importantly, the system’s actual purpose is often at odds with or different from its intended purpose. The ability to clearly identify and document the difference between intended and actual purpose is a necessary starting point for defining any change or transformation. Critically, and what sets systems thinking apart from many other approaches, is that any change or transformation we are seeking can only be built from the current system process, structures and mental models. Therefore we must first know where we are starting, in order to understand how we might create something different.
In this small group activity, participants identify parts of the systems and through processes of social learning and negotiation determine the various subsystems of which they are apart and how those subsystems sit in relationship to one another. Once the system has been mapped, participants can then consider and define the systems purpose as it currently operates. This activity forms the foundation from which participants can then identify the direction of change they are seeking in the system, ie, what is the desirable system purpose we are seeking?
This process requires deep engagement, thoughtful consideration and a willingness to interrogate, and to a degree let go of assumptions about the system and our mental models of how it operates. In this way, it is helpful for the participants to have first engaged in some group formation activities, if there were no previous relationships. It may be useful to refer to the Purposeful Engagement element of the Systems Change Framework for guidance on this.
Critically, it should be acknowledged that no systems map escapes subjectivity, and this exercise is no different. Therefore there should be deep consideration of the diversity of participants invited to engage in this activity, as their experiences and unique systems perspective will shape the depth and complexity of the system you are able to map. Additionally, it is important to name the perspectives which informed the map once it has been created to remain mindful of its subjectivity.
*Note: This method is adapted from Soft Systems Methodology, and specifically the processes outlined by Rosalind Armson in her book ‘Growing Wings on the Way’.
Accessibility:
This activity requires ample space to move around a room
This activity requires participants to engage is sensemaking and pattern recognition
This activity requires participants to engage is social learning
This activity requires participants to write or draw on their own
Output: The output from the process produces a large scale map of the system, which can then be captured digitally through tools such as MURAL, IDEAFLIP, or MIRO.
This is a Process: a medium sized activity, there are a series of steps, usually involving several participants, and is used to achieve a specific output often in 1 session.
Investment: low cost, low resources, medium skill and external support by a systems facilitator may be useful, medium time
Outcomes
- Map of the current system from a defined set of perspectives
- System parts
- Subsystems
- Outcomes
- Identified systems purpose
- System boundaries as defined by the participants in this exercise
- Social learning and building of collective capacity of a group of actors in the system
When and Why Do I Use This
Define Situation: When we are defining the situation we are engaging in two main activities 1) bringing together a group of systems actors to engage in an inquiry, and identifying the initial scope of the inquiry. Mapping the systems purpose serves both these needs by providing dedicated time for the system actors to learning and develop a shared understanding of the system, and to define the scope through the systems purpose.
Gain Clarity : When we are gaining clarity we are deepening our understanding of the system. In this exercise we have an opportunity to begin defining and documenting how the system is operating through the parts that are at play. Defining the system's purpose also helps us to understand our starting point for change.
Boundaries : Once a system purpose map has been completed, participants are then able to ask, ‘what boundaries have been drawn based on how we’ve defined the system’. This is helpful to gain clarity on what has therefore been included, and what has been excluded, and warrants further reflection.
Dynamics : A main element of this activity is to consider the cumulative impact of the system parts interacting in the way they do, and therefore defines the system's purpose. Through this examination we gain clarity about the dynamics between parts of the systems and their subsystems.