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The complete manual is available by request.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  4

SEMINAR INTRODUCTION  5

INTRODUCING SYSTEMS THINKING   9

QUOTES FROM UK NHS STAFF EXPOSED TO SYSTEMS THINKING   14

APPLYING SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROBLEM SOLVING   15

PROBLEM ANALYSIS USING SYSTEMS THINKING TECHNIQUES  18

DAY 1 – KEY PRINCIPLES  18

What is a System   18

Introduction to Systems Thinking  20

Discussion of Worldview and Perspectives  22

Stakeholder analysis  23

Explanation of Difficulty & Messes  24

Systematic & Systemic  25

The 2x2 Matrix and Venn Diagrams  28

DAY 2 – DIAGRAMMING PRACTICE  31

The Power of Diagrams  31

Introduction to Diagramming  32

Example of a Spray Diagram   34

Rich Picture  36

Systems Diagrams  37

Deciding upon a system of interest 39

Hard & Soft Complexity  39

Challenging the Objectives set 41

Introduction to a Methodology  41

DAY 3 – ANALYSIS METHO DOLOGY  43

Causal Diagrams  43

Drawing Sign Graphs  45

Interpreting Sign Graphs  46

The Concept of Feedback  48

Criteria and Indicators  53

Key Performance Indicators  55

DAY 4 – PROBLEM RESOLUTION  56

Overview of Modelling  56

Evaluating Potential Actions  62

Multiple Criteria Analysis  64

5 Ws & 1 H  66

SWOT  68

STEP  69

Reality Checks for Practicality  70

DAY 5 – CASE STUDIES  72

Group Worked Problems  72

Presentations  73

Evaluation and discussion  74

APPENDIX 1       EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF “SYSTEMS THINKING”  77

APPENDIX 2       HOW TO DRAW KEY DIAGRAM TYPES  81

APPENDIX 3       CONSULTANTS CHECKLIST  98

APPENDIX 4       A PROFESSIONAL REPORT LAYOUT  100

APPENDIX 5       WAYS OF THINKING   102

APPENDIX 6       KOLB LEARNING CYCLE TUTORIAL  104

REFERENCES    107

ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS  108

INDEX     110