leveraging systems thinking to understand the complexities
TRANSCRIPT
LeveragingSystemsThinkingtoUnderstandtheComplexitiesofCommunityProblems
COMMUNITY CHANGE INSTITUTE
cities of the future • co-creating tomorrow
Facilitated by: Yassaman Nouri
ToolsSessionDescriptionSocial,environmentalandeconomicalchallengesfacedbycommunitiesacrossthe
globearecomplexanddynamic.Lackofdeepunderstandingofthecomplexitiesof
problemsoftenresultinunintendednegativeimpactsinlocalandglobal
communities.Systemsthinkingandanalysiscanbepowerfultoolstohelp
practitionersunderstandcomplexcommunityproblemsandimplementsystemic
solutionsthatresultinpositiveimpactsinthecommunities.Thisinteractive
workshopwilltakeaveryquicklookatwhatsystemsthinkingisandsharesome
practicalresources,tools,processesandmindsetstobeusedfordesigningand
implementingsolutionstocomplexcommunityproblems.
SharingIntentions
Myrequestofyou:
Listennotonlywithopenearsbut
withopenmind,openheartandopenwill
Agenda
• Sharingintentions
• Startingwithastory
• Definingsystemsthinking
• Selectingaproblem/challengeinacommunity
• WebofLifeActivity
• Bridgingcommunityanddiscoveringicebergs
• Bridgingtoclosesocialgap
• Q&A
Threeopeningsneededtotransformchange
1. Openingthemind(tochallengeourassumptions)2. Openingtheheart(tobevulnerableandtotrulyhearoneanother)3. Openingthewill(toletgoofpre-setgoalsandagendasandsee
whatisreallyneededandpossible)Thesethreeopeningsmatchtheblindspotsofmostchangeefforts,whichareoftenbasedonrigidassumptionsandagendasandfailtoseethattransformingsystemsisultimatelyabouttransformingrelationshipsamongpeoplewhoshapethosesystems.Manyotherwisewell-intentionedchangeeffortsfailbecausetheirleadersareunableorunwillingtoembracethissimpletruth
• Source:LeadingfromtheEmergingFuture - OttoScharmer andKatrinKaufer
Startingwithastory
Tehranoftoday:Themostpollutedcity• Risingdeathratesduetopollution:27/day(9,855/year)estimatein2007;180/day(67,500/year)estimatein2015
• Nov17,2016:Authoritiesreported 412deathsfromrespiratoryillnessesinthepast23days.
• 80% ofthecity'spollutionisduetocars. Theremaining20%isdueto industrialpollution.Otherestimatessuggestthatmotorcyclesaloneaccountfor30%ofairand50%of soundpollution inTehran.
Howdoweresolvethis?
• Whoshouldtakeresponsibility?(ex:CityofTehran,Trafficauthorities,oilregulators,residents,orInternationalsanctions?)
• Solutions?(ex:odd-evenandcar-free-zone,increasegasprice,usemediaandgovernmenttosendrequeststocitizenstousepublictransit)Source:ResearchGateStudyofTehran
Somestatsforperspective:• Ecologicalcapacity:3Mil• Population:15.27Mil (2017)
• RoadwayCapacity:700Kcars• Carsontheroad:+3Mil
Definingsystemsthinking
Whataresystemthinkingand
systemdynamics?
Source: Kindling
Whatare“Systems”and“Systemsthinking”?
• Systems:“Asystemisanentitywithinterrelatedandinterdependentparts;itisdefinedbyitsboundariesanditismorethanthesumofitsparts(subsystem).Changingonepartofthesystemaffectsotherpartsandthewholesystem,withpredictablepatternsofbehavior.”Ex:Person,afamily,acar,etc.Source:Wikipedia– SystemsTheory
• SystemsThinking: “Awayofthinkingabout,andalanguagefordescribingandunderstanding,theforcesandinterrelationshipsthatshapethebehaviorofsystems.Thisdisciplinehelpsustoseehowtochangesystemsmoreeffectively,andtoactmoreintunewiththenaturalprocessesofthenaturalandeconomicworld.”Source:TheFifthDisciplineFieldbook - PeterSengeetal
Whatis“SystemDynamics”?
“SystemDynamicsThestudyofcomplexsystems,includingsuchhumansystemsasfamilies,organizations,cities,andnations.
Ifyoulookdeeplyintoanysystemandanalyzetherelationshipsbetweenmembers,youwillfindinfinitecomplexity.
Inasystemsapproachtoaproblem,youstartbyrealizingthatthereisnoinherentendtoasystem.Thereisnosuchthingasacompletetheory.Thequestistolookataproblemmorecomprehensively.”
Source:Systemsthinking– PeterSenge
UnderstandingtheCreativeTension
Source:Figure5.2fromSystemsThinkingForSocialChange– DavidPeterStroh (rightdiagram)builtontheFigure1:“CreativeTension”modelfromTheFifthDiscipline- PeterSenge (Leftdiagram)
Selectingaproblem/challengein
acommunity
Selectingaproblem/challengewithinyourgroup
Activitydescription:• Formagroupof7-8members• Selectoneproblem/challengethatyourteamunderstandsandwantstotackleinthissession.
Ideasfortypesofproblems/challenges:- Increasinglevelsofpollution,unemployment,crime,etc.- Decreasinglevelsofaffordability,safety,qualityeducation,etc.
Examples:- Tehran’spollutionrelateddeathratesrising:27/day(9,855/year)estimatein2007;180/day(67,500/year)estimatein2015
- U.S.incarcerationratesskyrocketing(~100,000in1920and~2,400,000in2008
YouthIncarcerationinU.S.andN.Y.C.
Source:AECF- NoPlaceForKids
USIncarceration
WebofLifeActivity
Exploringtheecosystemthroughweboflife
Activitydescription:
1. Select1observertorecordtherelationshipsthatwillbeidentifiedinthisactivity
2. Drawalargecircleonyourflipboardpaper3. Identifykeyvariablesrelatedtoyourchosenproblem/challengeandassign
eachtoanindividual4. Putalargedotinfrontofeachindividualonthecircle’scircumference5. Haveonepersonsuggesthowhis/hervariableisrelatedtooneoftheother
variables,holdingontothepenanddrawingalinefromtheirdotonthecircletothedotthatrepresentstheothervariable.
6. Continuetoidentifyasmanyconnectionsaspossiblewhilethe“web”growsincomplexity
Potentialvariablesforexploringincarcerationexample:levelofmentorship,employmentopportunity,education,safety,poverty,socialstigma,policediscrimination,politicalenvironment,inequality,mental/physicalhealth,etc.Potentialvariablesforexploringpollutionexample:alternatetransportation,employmentopportunity,sourcesofpowerforvehicle,sanctions,etc.
Bridgingcommunityand
discoveringicebergs
IdentifyingtheCommunity/EcosystemMembers/stakeholders
ActivityDescription:Identifythecommunity/ecosystemsmembers/stakeholdersofyourchosenproblem/challengeandwritethemdownonaflipchartpaper
Members/Stakeholders:• Peopleandorganizationsthataffectandareaffectedbytheissue• Anyonethatcanmakeacontributiontotheeffort• Anyonethatcanpossiblyderailtheeffortifnotonboard
Stakeholderexamples:• Nonprofitspresentingcommunityinterestsand/orspecificpopulations• Governmentagencies,politicians,policymakersandimplementers• Lawenforcements,• Schools• Businessconcernswiththeimpactofanissueoneconomicdevelopment• Themedia• Membersoftargetpopulation
Source:SystemsThinkingforSocialChange– DavidPeterStroh (checkforsection6.1foratableofacaseexample)
Discoveringicebergs
Diggingdeeper
Source:ASystemsThinkingModel:TheIceberg- NWEI
DiggingDeeper
Mayinclude:rules,norms,policies,guidelines,powerstructures,distributionofresources,culturalrules,orinformalwaysofwork
Mayinclude:ConsciousorUnconsciousassumptionsandbeliefs
Mayinclude:Interpretationofeventsanddataovertime
Discoveryourowniceberg
Activitydescription:Withtheperspectiveofeachoftheecosystemmember/stakeholderthatyouidentified,createanicebergforyourproblem/challengeonaflipchart.
Importantnote:Firstbuildtheleftsideoftheiceberg(toptodown)andthenbuildtherightside(bottomup)
BridgingtheGapBetween
RealityandVision
UnderstandingtheCreativeTension
Source:Figure5.2fromSystemsThinkingForSocialChange– DavidPeterStroh (rightdiagram)builtontheFigure1:“CreativeTension”modelfromTheFifthDiscipline- PeterSenge (Leftdiagram)
TheFour-StageChangeProcess
Source:SystemsThinkingForSocialChange– DavidPeterStroh
1.Buildafoundationforchange
2:Helppeoplefacecurrentreality
3.Helppeoplemakeanexplicitchoice
4.Helppeoplebridgethegapbetweenrealityandvision
•Identifyandengagestakeholders
•Establishcommonground(wheretheyare&wanttogo)
•Buildstakeholdercapacitiestocollaborate
•Identifyinterviewees
•Organize&Begintoimproveinfoquality
•Developpreliminarysystemsanalysis
•Engagepeopleindevelopingtheirownanalysis
•Surfacementalmodels
•Createcatalyticconversations&stimulateawareness
•Identifycaseforstatusquouncoveredinstage2
•Comparebenefitsofchangeandcostsofnotchanging
•Createboth/Andsolutionsthatachievethebenefitsormakehardtrade-offs
•Makeanexplicitchoiceandbringtolifethroughavisionthatilluminateswhattheteamdeeplywishestocreate
•Propose&refinehigh-levelinterventionswithcommunity(↑systemawareness,“rewiring”causalfeedbackrelationships,ShiftMentalmodels,Reinforcechosepurposewithplans,metrics,incentures,authoritystructures&funding)
•Establishaprocessforcontinuouslearning&outreach(Engagestakeholder,developimplementationplan,refinedata,evaluate&revisitplanregularly,expandstakeholderinvolvement)
Formoreinformation,check
outourSystemsThinking
Webinar
Questions?
Extraexample:YouthIncarceration
(U.S.&N.Y.C.)
Shorttermandlongtermfocusedinvestments
Roca
• Mission:Todisruptthecycleofincarcerationandpovertybyhelpingyoungpeopletransformtheirlives.
• In2000,learned PeacemakingCircles practicefromtheTagishTlingitpeopleintheYukonTerritories,andstartsusingandapplyingittodiversesettings,fromstreetconflictstosentencingandparolecircles.
• 2013resultsofhigh-riskyouthinParolees&ex-convictsprograms:• 89%ofhadnonewarrests• 95%hadnonewtechnicalviolations• 69%remainedemployed• Massachusettsenteredintoa$27millionsocialimpactbondwithRoca,wherebyRocawillbepaidtokeepat-riskyouthoutofprison,receivingremunerationdirectlyinproportiontothepositiveoutcomestheyachieve
Source:RocaInc.
RocaPeacemakingCircle
“We learn to listen to each other in a deep way in circles,” says Roca youth worker Omar Ortez. “You see that a problem is not just one person’s problem, it is all our problem.”
RocaInc.
“The ultimate goal of our Engaged Institutions strategy is to create systemic improvements in the way our society addresses crime, poverty and over-incarceration of young people. Roca aims to create a “safety net” around young people, which serves not only them, but also our society as a
whole.” Roca Inc.
PartnershipbuildingthroughCircleTalks
Initssimplestformacircletalk:• Isdoneinacompletecircle• Onlythepersonholdingthesticktalks,alltherestlisten• Thestickispassedaroundinaclockwisedirection• Apersontalksuntiltheyarefinished,beingrespectfuloftime• Apersonmaypassthestickwithoutspeaking,iftheysowish• Ifdesired,thestickmaybepassedaroundagain• Whatissaidinthecirclestaysinthecircle• Acircleisusedtodiscussissuesofimportance• Isextremelyrespectfulofeveryoneasindividualsandwhattheyhavetosay
Source:FirstNationsPedagogy- CircleTalks
Restorativejusticethroughcircles
• Participants:Volunteersfromjusticesystempersonnel,victim,victim’sfamily,offender,offender’sfamily,communityrepresentatives,communityconcernedmembers
• Howitworks:valuedrivenprocesscombiningmeditationandconferencingwitha“talkingpiece”typicallyusedaroundthecirclewhileisbeingdirectedbya“keeper”
• Why:tobringhealingandunderstanding,andinvolvingthewholecommunityindivisionmakingandhealing.Tobuildonvaluesofrespect,honesty,listening,truth,sharingandothers
• Results:Theoffendershareswhy/howhecommittedthecrime,thevictimshareshowtheywereaffectedeconomically,physicallyandemotionallyandthroughsharing,theybuildastrategyforaddressingthecrime(is:restitution,orcommunityservices)andthecausesofthecrimewithfollow-upsupportcirclestotracktheprogressofplanofactions
Source:CentreforJustice&Reconciliation(descriptions,articles,handbookforfacilitatingcircles,examples,etc)
RocaInterventionModel
• Changedoesn’thappenovernight.Twoyearsofintensiveservicesfollowedbytwoyearsoffollow-upgiveouryoungpeoplethetimeandopportunitiestheyneedtosucceed.Source:RocaInc.InterventionModel
• RelentlessOutreach - Knockondoors,engageandre-engageyoungpeople,andnevergiveup
• TransformationalRelationships - Buildmeaningfulrelationshipswithyoungpeopleforthepurposeofbehaviorchange
• Stage-BasedProgramming - Ourprogrammingistailoredtomeetyoungpeoplewheretheyare,cognitivelyandbehaviorally
• EngagedInstitutions:Strategicallyengagesystemsandorganizationsinyoungpeople’schangeprocess
• Performance-BasedManagement:Werigorouslytrackdataandcontinuouslyevaluateourstrategiesandoutcomes
Today,thiswillingnesstoopenthemind,heart,andwillhasextendedfarbeyondthefourwallsofRocaastheorganizationhasevolvedintoacriticalinterfacebetweengangs,police,courts,paroleboards,schools,andsocialserviceagencies.Indeed,manyofRoca’simportantalliesarethepolicedepartmentsinthecommunitiesitserves.
CrimeRateinNYC
• Overthepast10years,theoverallrateofIndexcrimesper100,000residentsdeclined21percent;therateofviolentcrimes(murder,rape,robbery,andaggravatedassault)fell25%andpropertycrimes(burglary,larceny,andmotorvehicletheft)weredown20%.Thelargestreductionsincrimerateswerereportedformotorvehicletheft,androbbery(seeAppendix1forastatewide,annualizedcomparisonofcrimerates).Source:NYCriminalJustice
IncarcerationRateinUS
• Source:SentencingProject- CriminalJusticeFacts