Systems Thinking Role in Sustainability Challenges

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Reference List

Introduction

The rapid evolution of science and technical devices gave rise to a number of various concerns and resulted in the increased complexity of the patterns according to which the most important activities were organised. The modern world should be considered a complicated and multilayered system with numerous aspects that impact its functioning and condition a certain outcome. In this regard, the success of any project depends on the ability of managers or organisers to take into account the complex of factors that might impact the final outcomes and determine the way a project might evolve. In other words, it is crucial to consider a certain phenomenon within a system that predetermines its peculiarities. That is why systems thinking becomes crucial for modern managers.

Background

The great significance of the given approach comes from several factors. First, its blistering rise is conditioned by the increased complexity of the majority of processes that are an integral part of modern life (Smith & Brown 2009). Implementation of the new technologies resulted in the significant improvement of the quality of peoples life. At the same time, the level of their expectations also increased.

To satisfy the existing requirements, various kinds of activities and projects should follow a certain pattern and promote the further stable functioning of a system they belong to (Britnell 2014). Under these conditions, systems thinking becomes the only approach that could guarantee the creation of the most appropriate and efficient solution. Furthermore, the existence of a great number of tasks that demand a systematic approach provides the basis for the further rapid evolution of the given sphere.

Problem

Speaking about the above-mentioned tasks that demand the usage of the given practice, the traffic problem should be mentioned. The fact is that high urbanisation rates and population growth predetermine the increase in the number of vehicles and public means of transport which result in numerous traffic blocks and other problems (Rozenthuler 2016). There are different perspectives on the given problematic issue. Thus, it is possible to highlight two opposite solutions.

The first one suggests the creation of the complex and well-thought-out system of new highways that might solve the existing problem. Yet, the opposite opinion presupposes the usage of public transport and the creation of new train lines. Both of these approaches could be considered efficient enough to improve the situation. However, it is crucial to choose the most appropriate and efficient solution. In this regard, it is necessary to apply the main aspects of systems thinking to evaluate the situation and accept the best option.

The main terms and concepts

The given practise tends to consider the aspects of a certain frame. This sort of thinking implies the usage of various techniques to investigate a system (Clear, 2016). Speaking about organisations and projects related to human activity, one should understand that these systems consist of people, structures, and processes that are closely interconnected. For these reasons, there are several important concepts related to the given sphere.

First, the approach considers interdependence of all units that belong to a certain group (Maynard 2014). Furthermore, systems thinking accepts the hierarchy that exists within and determines the character of relations. Additionally, this very approach rests on the idea that any system consists of parts which should also be analysed to obtain a clear image and guarantee credible solutions.

Purpose

In these regards, the main purpose of the given paper is to investigate the most important aspects of systems thinking and understand the main peculiarities of its usage to solve a certain problem and guarantee the positive final outcomes. The real-life issue is taken as the background for the research. The problematic situation related to traffic problems could be solved using the most important aspects of systems thinking. Yet, the paper aims at analysing the perspectives that imply the creation of new highways and train lines needed to create the new and efficient road transport system. In these regards, the paper tends to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of every solution and study it as part of a certain frame.

Working plan

The paper is organised in accordance with a clear and logical structure which is created to guarantee positive outcomes. The outline suggests three main parts which are the introduction, main body, and conclusion. The introduction tends to provide the basis for the investigation and explain the main aspects of systems thinking. The given part provides the basis for the further analysis of the given issue and introduces the problem that serves as the background for the research. Furthermore, we cogitate about the main peculiarities of any system and suggest a certain solution to the existing problem. At the end of the paper, conclusions are given, and some possible recommendations for the further analysis of the issue are suggested

Main body

Systems thinking and possible applications

Analysing the possible applications of systems thinking in terms of the suggested problematic issue, it is vital to provide several important options. First, it tends to analyse the complex of various factors that impact a certain phenomenon and affect its development. The hierarchy and relations within a system are crucial for the analysis of the given problem and creation of the most appropriate solution (Kalim, Carson, & Cramp, 2006).

Yet, in terms of the above-mentioned traffic problem, it is crucial to consider all factors that might influence the situation. These are people, population density, a number of vehicles, the main traffic aspects, and the peculiarities of the place. In these regards, the usage of systems thinking might help to solve the given problem.

Ways to resolve the problem

There are several possible ways to analyse the opposition highways vs. train lines. The usage of systems thinking might help to resolve the system by analysing the most crucial issue. The first way to do it is to research the important aspects of the local traffic. The fact is that the unique peculiarities of a certain place condition the choice of a certain solution. For instance, the road system might suffer from the creation of the new highways, or there could not be the possibility to introduce new junctions. At the same time, the creation of new train lines could also be problematic because of the lack of space or other objects of infrastructure needed to accept this very solution (Trivedi & Misra 2015).

Moreover, the needs of the local community should be taken into account as these peculiarities determine the choice of the appropriate solution. The existence of numerous vehicles and means of public transport should be the main aspects to accept the finals solution. In these regards, the usage of systems thinking might help to determine the main factors that impact the situation and the other objects needed to create the needed solution.

Outcomes

Nevertheless, the there are several outcomes that could be expected from the usage of the above-mentioned approach. First, it is possible to obtain the credible information about the current state of the system important for the given case. In this context, it is crucial to investigate the aspects of a certain city or district to consider the possibility to apply one or another decision (Wiltz 2013). Additionally, the data obtained from this sort of analysis might help to evaluate both perspectives and state which way should be chosen. In these regards, the usage of this very approach might help to research the given opposition and find good reasons for the adherence to one or another perspective. It becomes obvious that systems thinking is crucial for the given case and could be the only possible approach.

Highways

Analysing the case, the possibilities for the creation of new highways should be taken into account. Exploring the system, the first obvious aspect should be minded. The fact is that it will obviously promote the significant improvement of traffic and avoid jams. At the same time, the given solution will be welcomed by all vehicle owners who have to spend much time in these very jams (Reinolds 2014). Additionally, new highways could be used as the part of citys infrastructure that is needed to avoid the further sophistication of the given situation. However, while analysing the given solution, it is also crucial to consider another perspective that implies the usage of public transport and its development.

Train lines

The fact is that a number of people either do not have vehicles or prefer to reach certain places using public transport. They comprise a large group of population which interests should be taken into account. One realises the fact that the further development of the public transport system might help to resolve the problem and satisfy the needs of this very group of population (Esposito 2015). Furthermore, the creation of the new train lines which are considered the ecological mean of transport might contribute to the significant improvement of the current environmental and traffic situation. In these regards, consideration of the main elements of this very approach within a certain system might help to accept the final solution and choose the most appropriate variant.

Comparison

Thus, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of highways and train lines, a certain conclusion should be made. First, it is crucial to apply the main aspects of systems thinking to analyse a city as a system that impacts the choice. Besides, it is vital to introduce new changes without breaking the aligned mechanism of this very systems functioning (Mette & Bengston 2015). For this reason, systems thinking might help to resolve the nagging problem and provide the basis for the final conclusion. However, it will still depend on the most important and unique aspects of the system that introduces the given problem. Consideration of these elements is crucial for the efficient solution and implementation of the new patterns in the way that will not lead to the collapse of the whole system.

Scientific perspective

While speaking about the usage of this approach to solve a number of citys problems, the majority of scientists accept the positive outcomes resulting from it (BeLue et al. 2012). Furthermore, there is a tendency to assume it as the only way to solve problems that appear within a city. Yet, this very approach helps investigators to determine the aspects that have the most powerful impact on the systems further evolution. At the same time, systems thinking guarantees the precise analysis of the factors that also influence that evolution of a certain phenomenon. Numerous research articles provide examples that evidence the great practical use of this very approach and predetermines its usage for situations that imply the existence of a certain system.

Companies experience

Altogether, systems thinking might be considered one of the most important peculiarities of the modern world. It deals with numerous systems that are the part of the modern society and determine the existence of certain communities. Furthermore, there are numerous cases that prove the great importance of this very approach in terms of the increased complexity of the modern world and peoples great expectations. Certain companies adhere to the given approach to improve its functioning (About UNICEF n.d) and guarantee the significant improvement of the final outcomes and create the plan needed to assure the further growth (About Us n.d.). The necessity to consider any process or object as a part of a certain system comes from the complicated character of the majority of activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the analysis of the above-mentioned approach provides the credible information that evidences the great importance of this very practice. Besides, applying it to the real-life example and investigating the opposition highways vs. train lines, it is possible to conclude that a city as the system determines the choice of the appropriate solution (Esposito 2015). The choice should be predetermined by the peculiarities of local communities, peoples needs, current traffic situation, etc.

Finally, systems thinking also help to improve the state of this very system and guarantee its further evolution and stable functioning (Moses n.d). That is why it is strongly recommended to continue the investigation of the given issue and guarantee its usage for the majority of cases that imply the existence of a complex of various reasons and factors.

Reference List

About UNICEF n.d. Web.

About Us n.d. Web.

BeLue, R, Carmack, C, Myers, K, Weinreb, L & Lengerich, E 2012, ‘Systems Thinking Tools as Applied to Community-Based Participatory Research. A Case Study’, Health Educational Behavior, vol. 39, no. 6, pp. 745-751. Web.

Britnell, M 2014, ‘Whole-System Thinking Is Key in the Quality Versus Cost Debate‘, Huffington Post. Web.

Clear, J 2016, ‘Forget About Setting Goals. Focus on This Instead‘, Huffington Post. Web.

Esposito, M 2015, ‘When Cities Have Skin in the Game‘, Huffington Post. Web.

Kalim, K, Carson, E & Cramp, D 2006, ‘An illustration of whole systems thinking’, Health Service Management Resources, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 174-185. Web.

Maynard, M 2014, ‘ Roads Versus Rail: The Big Battle Over Public Transportation‘, Forbes. Web.

Mette, M & Bengston, E 2015, ‘Site-Based Management Versus Systems-Based Thinking. The Impact of Data-Driven Accountability and Reform’, Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 27-38. Web.

Moses, A n.d., ‘What You Should Know About Systems Thinking‘, AS. Web.

Reinolds, M 2014, ‘Equity-focused developmental evaluation using critical systems thinking’, Evaluation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 75-95. Web.

Rozenthuler, S 2016, ‘ Leading Systemic Dialogue – From Silos to the Whole System‘, Huffington Post. Web.

Smith, M & Brown, R 2009, ‘Exploratory Techniques for Examining Cluster Dynamics: A Systems Thinking Approach’, Local Economy, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 283-298. Web.

Trivedi, C & Misra, S 2015, ‘Relevance of Systems Thinking and Scientific Holism to Social Entrepreneurship’, Journal of Entrepreneurship, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 37-62. Web.

Wiltz, C 2013, ‘5 Principles of Systems Thinking‘, MDDI. Web.

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