Foresight Cards > Workshops > System Thinking
Connect the dots…
Purpose
To understand how developments relate to each other
Application
Business, political, creative and personal fields
Supporting Cards: Patterns of change
Causal loop diagrams – stress testing internal feedback loops
Players: 2 to 8 | Duration: 15 – 60 minutes | Level: 4 (out of 5)
Required knowledge: experience with causal loop diagrams
Requirements: a causal loop diagram
Step
1. Place your Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) in the center of the table.
2. Divide the group into two teams.
3. Assign each team a specific loop from the CLD.
4. Each team selects relevant STEEP cards that influence the loops so the result of the loop is altered (balanced or reinforced).
5. Using the Patterns of change card, identify for each STEEP card the pattern of change that alters the condition of the loop.
6. As a group discuss the results and share your findings.
Option
– Exchange your results with the other team. Optimize the results or find new possibilities.
– During step 4: add forces from the meso- (transactional) environment.
System dynamics – playing with dynamics
Players: 2 to 8 | Duration: 15 – 60 minutes | Level: 4 (out of 5)
Required knowledge: experience with system dynamics
Requirements: a causal loop diagram
Steps
1. Place your Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) in the center of the table.
2. First player:
Select one element of the CLD.
Select a STEEP card and a Patterns of change that alters the element.
Try to disable/disrupt the system.
3. The next player should try to explain the effects on the other elements and write this down on a post-it note and stick it next to the element.
4. In turns, browse through the deck of cards to identify cards that could alter other elements within the loop in such a manner that the system is stabilized.
5. After stabilizing the system discuss your insights.
Options
– During step 2 and 4 please add forces of the meso- (transactional) environment.