From systems thinking to systems doing: a practical approach for service designers

As designers respond to the "wicked problems" of the 21st century, and work within increasingly complex social landscapes, systems thinking is growing in popularity.

As a discipline, designers understand that to solve systemic challenges, we need systemic solutions. And yet, efforts to bridge systems thinking to systems practice often fail.

The approach itself is often imbued with complexity, from the tools themselves, to the language we use to describe them, to the perceived scope required. Service design needs an approach to systems practice that is accessible and actionable, yet non-reductive.

Using plain language, clear steps, and examples, this session guides participants through an approach to applying a systemic mindset to a service design project.

Participant Takeaways:

• Understand what it means to use systems thinking in design practice
• Understand why there is a gap between "thinking and doing" in systems
• Learn an actionable and accessible approach to integrating a systemic mindset into their design practice

Themes:

Systems thinking, Systems practice, Systemic design, Strategic foresight, Systems mapping, Storytelling, Visualisation, Plain language, Accessibility, Collaboration, Service design, Coaching, Strategy, Technique, Framework, Approach