TB872: Purposeful and purposive framing
Note: this is a post reflecting on one of the modules of my MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice. You can see all of the related posts in this category.
Update: clarified the difference between ‘purposeful’ and ‘purposive’ thanks to some feedback from Robert Holtom in the module forum.
The four blog posts which follow this one are related to my reading, and reflecting, on chapters from the book Systems Practice: How to Act by Ray Ison. By way of context, they relate to the juggler isophor introduced in this post. In addition, I’ve linked the BECM balls that are included in the isophor to my own practice here.
This module (TB872) involves simultaneously undertaking two ‘systemic inquiries’. The first, S1, is about my own systems practice as I move through the module, learn more, and reflect upon it. The second, S2, is about a particular situation outside of the context of the module. I have explained this in more detail in this post, and created a rich picture for S1 and a rich picture for S2.
Each chapter dealt with in subsequent posts focuses on just one of the BECM balls. I have 10 questions to help guide my reading, grouped under three headings: one for S1 and two for S2. This is due to S1 being framed in a ‘purposeful’ way, while S2 can be framed both in a ‘purposeful’ and ‘purposive’ way.
To explain the difference:
- Purposeful framing – refers to framing directed towards a specific goal or objective that is determined by the practitioner (i.e. focused on my learning and development as a practitioner)
- Purposive framing – refers to framing that is intentional but with a broader or more holistic focus where the observer ascribes purpose to another (i.e. it’s not just about my goals, as it considers dynamics, stakeholders, and potential outcomes)
It’s a nuanced difference, but it makes sense to both be thinking about my own development in a separate but linked way to my intervention in a process of systemic change management.
Systemic Inquiry 1
a) Purposeful framing: these questions situate me as a practitioner in the situation of concern. I’m a learner with a developing understanding and practices around systems practice.
- What does my reading of this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M-ball have to say that affects how I now interpret my past understandings and use of systems practice?
- What does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M -ball have to say about what I am currently doing in my systems practice? Does it alter my understanding of any aspects of what I do?
- What possibilities for my future systems practice does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M -ball suggest (in general terms or in relation to the situation I have chosen for Systemic Inquiry 2)?
Systemic Inquiry 2
a) Purposeful framing: these questions situate me as a practitioner in the situation of concern that I have nominated to enact your Systems understandings and skills.
- What does my reading of this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M-ball have to say that affects how I have interpreted my situation of concern in the past?
- What does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M-ball have to say about my current understandings and practices in the situation? Does it alter my understanding of what the situation is, or could be?
- What possibilities for my future systems practice for managing systemic change does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M-ball suggest in relation to the situation I have chosen?
b) Purposive framing: these questions help me interpret and make judgements about others in my situation of concern. As I am not asking them directly, I am interpreting what others in the situation of concern think and do (and why they do what they do).
- From my reading of this chapter on the B, E, C or M-ball, who are, or could be, the stakeholders in my situation of concern?
- What does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M-ball have to say that affects how I now interpret past understandings and practices of others in the situation?
- What does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M-ball have to say about my current understandings and practices of others in the situation?
- What insights does this chapter on the B-, E-, C- or M -ball provide in relation to what others in the situation may regard as improvements and how these might be achieved?
Image: DALL-E 3
