I’m composing this while sitting on one of the sofas in what we call the ‘spare lounge’. According to the official floorplan of the house when we bought it, this is the dining room, but the previous owners didn’t use it as that — and neither are we.
They left us the two sofas that fit in here perfectly and, while they’re not the colour or style we would usually go for, they’re insanely comfortable. So much so, in fact, that last night I ended up sleeping on one of them, as I was tossing and turning with sore hips and didn’t want to disturb my wife’s sleep.
The sore hips came from my visit to the Lake District, where on Friday I walked with David Rogers near Grasmere. I then took my Polestar 2 over the Hardknott Pass using single-pedal drive mode (so much fun!) and then walked and camped in Eskdale.
While Friday’s weather had been glorious, it rained a lot overnight, so much so that a little toad took refuge in my tent! That meant the river I’d crossed easily on the way out had turned into a raging torrent on the way back. With no mobile phone coverage (not even emergency coverage), I decided not to wade across, but rather to take the long way round via a bridge.
Before I left on Friday, my son had complained of having a really sore throat and being tired. Sure enough, he came home from school early and did a Covid test which turned out to be positive. Although there’s no legal reason or even guidance to do so, he’s isolating in his bedroom so that he doesn’t give it to us, his friends, or his teachers.
I’ve got my combined Covid and flu jab in a few weeks’ time, so I’m hoping that I don’t get it again before that. While I worked through it in January 2022, it took me fully 10 weeks to get back to exercise — and of course every infection brings with it the risk of Long Covid which I definitely don’t want.
I got my third tutor-marked assignment back this week for module TB871 of the MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice I’m doing through the Open University. I got another 85% which is great, but the feedback that I needed to show more critical thinking was frustrating given extremely constrained word count. I ended up pushing a lot of stuff into the appendices as it was!
Next up is my End of Module Assessment (EMA) which is due in exactly one month’s time. That should be reasonably straightforward, I just need to ensure that I set aside enough time to get it written. After that, I’m planning to take a six month break to evaluate my options after doing the two compulsory modules, and to have a bit more of a chilled Christmas holiday period than I did last year.
I published one post about combining five systems approaches this week. I’m not sure I’ll be writing many new ones over the next few weeks, because most of what I need to do relates to my EMA. Having said that, Amber Dumbleton-Thomas kindly sent me a book which looks really interesting, so maybe I’ll publish something after reading that.
On the work front this week, we ran the client kick-off meeting for the Friends of the Earth ‘Green Screen’ Mozilla Foundation-funded project around sustainable AI. I’ll probably write a post specifically about the details around this, but essentially WAO is on the hook for desk research, convening a roundtable, and writing a ~7,000-word article around principles relating to sustainable AI.
I also had a couple of meetings with Skills Development Scotland and the representatives of statutory bodies who form part of a group focused on My World of Work. I’m advising on the potential integration of Verifiable Credentials with this system. The next step is to do some user research and put together a proposal.
The JFF/IRC project continues with us doing evaluation around a Verifiable Credential for Job Readiness Training for New Americans. We’ve finished the user research interviews and most of the quantitative survey data analysis now, so we’re busy working on the more qualitative stuff around what emerged from the interviews.
Separately to the co-op, I’m doing some work with Bryan Mathers on a couple of workshops for N-TUTORR at the invitation of Ken McCarthy. Interestingly, it’s specifically focused on creating a badging policy, as they’ve already got one for microcredentialing. I’m pleased to see this kind of maturity and nuance in the ecosystem, and we’ll be using the four quadrants of recognition to help with this.
Other than that, I’ve been watching my daughter’s team play football in a tough league where they’re losing most matches, publishing a (very) few things over at Thought Shrapnel, and not running enough. Given that my Garmin watch told me that I did 300 intensity minutes on Friday, I’ll give myself a bit of a break.
Next week, I’ll be working on the projects mentioned above, doing more business development, publishing a third introductory post to systems thinking on the WAO blog, and both retiring my shorts-wearing for the year and getting out my SAD lamp in preparation for the darkness that is to come…
Image: collage of photos relating to my visit to the Lake District.
Update: It’s been almost three weeks since I last posted anything related to my studies. During that time I’ve been working on my third tutor-marked assessment and then taking a bit of a break. In fact, I’m probably going to be pausing my studies for six months for a more extended break; the Open University only gives students a week between modules, which didn’t make the Christmas holidays last year very relaxing!
I’ve published two of a three-part introduction to systems thinking on the WAO blog which you may be interested in if you’re new to this area.
I’m coming towards the end of module TB871 and therefore thinking about my End of Module Assessment (EMA) which pulls together everything I’ve learned over the past few months. This post will largely comprise of my notes on Chapter 7 of Systems Approaches (Reynolds & Holwell, 2020) in which the five systems approaches covered in the book are compared and contrasted.
In terms of what these have in common, there are four main areas which Reynolds and Holwell mention (2020, pp.308-309):
Dealing with complexity: All five approaches are designed to handle complex situations and issues, focusing on understanding and improving these situations rather than offering simple solutions.
Systems concepts: They are grounded in core systems concepts such as:
Emergence: Each approach considers the property of the whole that emerges from the interaction of its parts, where the whole is more than the sum of the parts.
Hierarchy: They acknowledge the presence of different layers or levels in systems.
Communication: These approaches stress the importance of communication within the system, including the development of shared understanding through listening and dialogue.
Control: Each approach deals with the actions required to maintain system stability and ensure long-term survival.
Inter-relationships, perspectives, and boundaries: All approaches give importance to inter-relationships, considering multiple perspectives and making boundary judgements (determining what is included or excluded) as a key aspect of systems practice.
Application and community: Each approach has been shaped by the collective experience of a diverse group of practitioners from various professional backgrounds, contributing to its development in real-world practice.
In addition, they also share the following characteristics (Ibid., pp.310-311):
Cyclic and iterative process: All five approaches involve a cyclic and iterative process for dealing with complex situations. Changes in perspective and hierarchy often lead to new insights, which then require revisiting earlier conclusions. This iterative nature ensures continual refinement and understanding.
Focus on understanding the whole: Each approach emphasises the importance of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the situation. They prioritise achieving a rich understanding of the entire context rather than focusing on narrow or simplistic views of problems.
Use of models and diagrams: All five approaches make extensive use of models and diagrams as conceptual tools to facilitate learning and understanding. These models are seen as constructs to aid thinking and reflection, rather than direct representations of reality.
Conceptualisation of entities: While each approach models different entities (e.g., variables in SD, processes in VSM, options in SODA, activities in SSM, and sources of influence in CSH), they all use modelling to clarify connections and relationships within the system.
Emphasis on improvement, not resolution: Rather than seeking definitive solutions or fixes, these approaches focus on making improvements to the situation. They regard situations as opportunities for continuous development and refinement rather than problems to be simply resolved.
Systems thinking isn’t a tick-box exercise but requires a systemic approach. Practitioners such as Donald Schön used metaphors such as jazz to explain this: “the process of improvisation in the moment based on a response to the situation (what other musicians are playing, the audience’s response etc), to the established rhythm and melody of the piece, and also on one’s own abilities and enthusiasms” (Ramage & Shipp, 2020, p.292, quoted in Reynolds & Holwell, 2020, p.311).
It was interesting to attend the Systems Innovation Network conference in London last week. There were some people there who were obviously deeply embedded in both theory and practice, but there were also plenty who were very much more on the practical side with a focus on a particular technique. Indeed, there was one session on Transition Design, which seems to be halfway between systems thinking and service design. Right now, I’m very much on the theoretical side, so it was fascinating to see how various people are putting theory into practice.
The above diagram shows the interaction between theories, methodologies, and communities (Reynolds & Holwell, 2020, p.315). What’s interesting to me is that this makes perfect sense in terms of my experience at the Systems Innovation Network conference. Practitioners of systems methods engage with other professional groups (e.g., teachers, managers, health workers) and non-professional participants during their practice. These interactions introduce new ways of thinking and contribute to the evolution of systems approaches by broadening perspectives.
This leads to a couple of routes of influence:
External theories: Ideas from outside systems theory can shape the development of new theories within the systems community.
External practices: Engaging with participants from different fields brings diverse practical insights that enhance systems practice.
As such, we should avoid ‘methodological purism’, instead adapting systems approaches based on context and incorporating insights from other domains. This flexibility supports the ongoing development of systems thinking and avoids the risks of group-think (Ibid., pp.314-316)
In my thesis, I used American Pragmatism as a methodology, leaning heavily on the ideas of Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and Richard Rorty. All three rejected traditional ideas of ‘Truth’ with a capital ‘T’ but rather considered that truth would be what a community of inquirers agreed on at the end of inquiry (Peirce), good in the way of belief (James), or a socio-linguistic product (Rorty).
As such, I find Werner Ulrich’s notion of ‘boundary critique’ as part of CSH extremely useful. There is no objective reality to map, so we need to draw a boundary based on a particular view point. Doing so in a way that explicitly notes that this is one among many views is a powerful tool.
As shown in the diagram above, there is a ‘triadicity’ to this that links the work of Peirce, Habermas, and Checkland (Ibid., pp.316-317). When applying CSH and making boundary judgements, the systems practitioner also recognises that they are coming to the situation making certain other judgements about ‘value’ and ‘facts’. Given that systems are abstractions, or framing devices, when we notice changes in these judgements — either in ourselves or others — we need to understand that this changes the system (Ibid., p.317).
There is no ‘education system’, for example, but only ‘education systems’ as experienced by different individuals and groups (i.e. ‘stakeholders’). System thinking practitioners need to be wary that their favourite approach may not be particularly useful in a given situation. The idea is to have a range of approaches in a toolbox, and to perhaps combine them based on context.
For example, in this module I’m taking as my area of practice ‘community development and wellbeing’, my situation of interest ‘a system to support lifelong learning in the context of library services’, and my system of interest ‘a system to support education and information’. Here’s how I could apply all five approaches:
System Dynamics (SD): SD could model how different factors, such as library funding, community engagement, availability of digital resources, and staff training, interact over time to influence the success of lifelong learning initiatives. Feedback loops could help identify how increasing access to digital tools or creating more community programmes might impact learning outcomes, attendance at the library, and overall community wellbeing in the long run.
Viable Systems Model (VSM): VSM could examine the organisational structure of the library service itself, ensuring that it can adapt to the changing needs of the community. It would explore how the library coordinates its services (e.g., learning programmes, digital literacy support, and access to information), while ensuring that all parts of the system (staff, management, technology providers) work in harmony to deliver these services effectively and sustainably.
Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA): SODA could be used to map the different views of key stakeholders, such as library staff, lifelong learners, community members, local government, and educational institutions. This process could reveal differing perspectives on what lifelong learning in a library context should look like, generating strategies that balance resource allocation, the type of services offered, and the role of technology in supporting education and information access.
Soft Systems Methodology (SSM): SSM could be employed to structure the issue by developing models that represent the system to support lifelong learning. Models could include a “system to improve digital literacy for older adults,” a “system to create a welcoming learning environment for all ages,” or a “system to integrate local educational content.” SSM would help clarify goals and develop practical interventions that align with the library’s role in the community.
Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH): CSH could be applied to examine the power dynamics and ethical considerations within the system. It would ask critical questions about whose interests are being served by the library’s lifelong learning initiatives, whose voices are included or excluded in decision-making, and how the services could be more equitable. CSH would ensure that the system addresses not only educational needs but also inclusivity and fairness, particularly in terms of access to information for marginalised or underrepresented groups.
I’m not sure whether using all five in my EMA would be appropriate, but I’m currently thinking that SSM, CSH, and VSM would be useful. They would forma cycle of understanding, ethical reflection, and systemic viability which would ensure that the lifelong learning system would be not only effective but fair and sustainable.
I like how Reynolds and Holwell sign off the book with a quotation from Mary Catherine Bateson, which I’ll reproduce below. One of the things I’ve appreciated as I’ve continued my journey further into systems thinking is that it’s OK not to have the answers most of the time.
It’s confusing, but we have a right to be confused. Perhaps even a need. The trick is to enjoy it: to savor complexity and resist the easy answers; to let diversity flower into creativity. (Bateson, quoted in Reynolds & Holwell, 2020, p.320)
References
Reynolds, M. and Holwell, S. (2020). Systems Approaches to Making Change: A Practical Guide, 2nd edn, London: Springer-Verlag.
It’s all very well doing weeknotes, but Dave Briggs has been doing daily notes which detail what he’s been up to and what he’s learned. It’s a good idea, and kind of a public version of what I did 15 years ago with the P2 theme for WordPress when I was Director of E-Learning. The benefit of Dave’s approach is that everyone else gets to see what you’re doing (i.e. it increases his serendipity surface); the advantage of my approach was that it was easier to search and spot trends.
I think that if I were to do some kind of daily note, I’d be tempted to use micro.blog. I currently use this service for Thought Shrapnel and blog occasionally throughout the week. I’ve then got it set to send out a weekly digest on a Sunday. If I were to do a daily notes, I think the easiest thing to do would be to send out short updates and then configure it to send out a daily digest. That approach wouldn’t be so different to Stephen Downes’ OLDaily.
This week has been a busy one, and I’m composing this around 18:30 on Sunday with my iPod playing Satin Jackets on shuffle through an iPod Hi-Fi. I’m tired. Everyone’s tired; it’s been back to school for our two teenagers, with my daughter starting high school and my son starting his last year at school.
I worked from Monday to Thursday midday on client projects, business development, and getting a third tutor-marked assignment submitted for my current MSc in Systems Thinking module. I then headed to London on the train, checked into my hotel, and then met Bryan Mathers for drinks and dinner, which was lovely.
On Friday I went to the first day of the Systems Innovation Network conference. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, and didn’t really know anyone, but had a great time. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly, with systems innovation being a broad church covering many disciplines. I learned a lot, made lots of connections, and felt validated in wanting to spend the second half of my career doing more of this kind of stuff.
Friday was also my wedding anniversary, having being married to Hannah for 21 years. We celebrated a couple of weeks ago, and I ensured flowers arrived in my absence. (I did invite her down to London, but she didn’t fancy it.)
On Friday night I met up with Indy Neogy for a drink, who I met through School of the Possible online gatherings and subsequent virtual coffees. It was nice to meet up in person. I then had dinner with Mayel de Borniol, who is one of the people behind Bonfire. Since I’ve known him, he’s lived in Greece, France, New Zealand, and Spain. Recently, he’s moved to London with his family, and this was only the third time I’ve been in the same geographical space as him — despite me borrowing his large brain when he was Technical Architect for MoodleNet!
Saturday was the second day of the SI Network conference and continued to be inspiring. The 3D mapping session was fantastic and definitely an approach I’ll use in future. When it got to 16:00 and the CO2 meter that a fellow delegate showed over 2200ppm in the room we were in, I decided it was time to head off. I watched England comfortably beat Ireland on my phone at football at Kings Cross, and then headed back home on the train.
The rest of the weekend has involved me picking up my son from a party, sleeping (my new sleep earbuds are a revelation), and then supporting my daughter and then my son during their respective football matches. He managed to score two headers as his team won comfortably in the fog in Consett. She did well against a good boys team, playing her fifth game in seven days while managing her total number of minutes while coming back from a knee injury.
Next week, we’ve got the client kick-off meeting for the Mozilla-funded Friends of the Earth ‘Greening AI’ project I’ve mentioned in previous weeknotes. We’ll put something on our blog about it soon. Also on the to-do list is starting to synthesise some of the data from our JFF/IRC project, piloting a Verifiable Credential for job readiness training for New Americans. I’ve got a meeting to prepare for where Skills Development Scotland have asked me to provide input around digital badges/credentials could be used for My World of Work.
It looks like I’m heading to the Lake District on Friday to meet up with David Rogers, who I know from OG Twitter days, but who I’ve never met in person. After a bit of a walk and a chat, I’m hoping to camp on Friday night, and then head home on Saturday. It’ll be good to get out there again!
Photo taken from my hotel room of the London skyline
