Systems Thinking
Systems thinking is an approach to problem-solving that emphasises the interconnected nature of complex systems. It originated in engineering and has since been applied to various disciplines, including management, ecology, and social sciences.
Donella Meadows was a prominent systems thinker and environmental scientist who dedicated her career to understanding the complexity of natural and social systems. She co-founded the Sustainability Institute and authored several influential books, including "Thinking in Systems: A Primer." Meadows' work inspires and informs systems thinking approaches across various fields today.
Another relevant author is Dave Snowden, creator of the Cynefin framework.
Cynefin is a Welsh word that describes a decision-making framework that acknowledges the complexity and unpredictability of different situations. It is often used in business and management to help leaders understand which approach to take in various scenarios based on the level of complexity and uncertainty involved.
Leila Acaroglu's [Tools for System Thinkers ](# Tools for Systems Thinkers: The 6 Fundamental Concepts of Systems Thinking) has a brief overview of the fundamental concepts: Interconnectedness, synthesis, emergence, feedback loops, causality and systems mapping.