Impact is the ultimate outcome for any social change initiative yet it’s also the most elusive and poorly defined of our evaluation metrics in practice. How do we change this? In this first post in a series, I bring us into the world of understanding impact. Non-profits are in the business of making a positive […]
What Does Impact Look Like? Read More »
We need systemic action informed by systems thinking to address the global challenges facing humanity. Alas, too many are focused on the thinking (and talk), not action. My aim for writing this is because I believe strongly in the potential of systems thinking for action. I don’t see much hope for humans if we can’t
Systems Thinking and Systemic Action Aren’t The Same Thing Read More »
Systems change is so difficult because is the link between the past, present and future is tight and often invisible. The term “system(s) change” is often used without a clear sense of what it means. What is the system that needs to be changed and how is that system defined? These are two important questions
The Memory of Systems Read More »
Changing dualisms and either/or thinking into real strategic plans can allow us to make big differences and change with small actions.
The Power of Subtle Change Read More »
When systems are changing everywhere the opportunities to direct some of that change to design the world we want has never been greater. Systemic design has been developing over the past decade from a set of loosely connected ideas drawn from different streams of systems thinking and the multidisciplinary field of design. Brought together, this
An Opportunity for Systemic Design Read More »
Thoughts of changing our world won’t yield much without examining our mental models. That means designing for how we think, not just what we think. When looking to generate some kind of major systems change — whether that’s your own life, that of your organizations’ , or social change — understanding the layers of activity
Designing Mental Models Read More »
Systems thinking is essential for managing complexity – if done well. These guides for systems theory, practice, and evaluation can help. Systems thinking is natural for people when given the freedom to contemplate their world around them. While simple to do in general terms, systems thinking can be difficult when applied to specific problems, particularly
Better Systems Thinking Read More »
Our consumption habits will kill our planet if we let it. Small actions, done often, can change our future course. Shopping is big business. It’s also helping our planet. Today is Black Friday, which is shaping up to be the largest shopping day of the year in the United States and Canada. In Canada, this
Big Changes Through Small Actions Read More »
The business of futures is to see what possibilities lay ahead to better anticipate how to meet them when or if they become reality. When this story line follows a linear path this is a lot easier; when it follows a more complex path reality can bite. Foresight models look at trends and curves in
Foresight, Growth and the J-shaped Curve Read More »
Today is International Women’s Day when the attention of one half of the world’s population is brought to the entire world, suggesting that maybe this day is best honoured the other 364 days as well. Time to consider how this might look. People worldwide will be celebrating and honouring women as part of International Women’s
International Women’s Day, Every Day Read More »
