A system is more than the sum of its parts. It may exhibit adaptive, dynamic, goal-seeking behavior that emerges from the interactions of its elements, not from the elements themselves.
What is a system?
A system isn't just any collection of things. A system is an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something.
The behavior of a system cannot be known just by knowing the elements of which it is made.
Feedback loops
The most important concept in systems thinking is the feedback loop. There are two types:
- Reinforcing loops - These amplify change, creating exponential growth or collapse
- Balancing loops - These seek equilibrium, maintaining stability
Leverage points
The places in a system where a small change could lead to a large shift in behavior are called leverage points. Finding them is both an art and a science.
Understanding systems helps us see the world not as a collection of isolated events, but as a web of interconnected patterns and relationships.