System Theory Stack
Core Concepts
- Holism
- Emergence
- Feedback loops
- Homeostasis
- Synergy
- Entropy
- Autopoiesis
System Types
- Open systems
- Closed systems
- Isolated systems
- Linear systems
- Non-linear systems
- Complex adaptive systems
System Dynamics
- Stocks and flows
- Causal loop diagrams
- Leverage points
- Tipping points
- Attractors
- Phase transitions
Methodologies
- Systems thinking
- System dynamics modeling
- Soft systems methodology
- Critical systems thinking
- Viable system model
- Cybernetics
Applications
- Organizational management
- Environmental studies
- Social systems
- Biological systems
- Economic systems
- Information systems
Key Thinkers
- Ludwig von Bertalanffy
- Norbert Wiener
- Jay Forrester
- Donella Meadows
- Peter Senge
- Fritjof Capra
IceBerg Model
- Events
- Patterns of behaviour
- Purpose
- Mental models
- Vision
OPs (Operations)
- Inputs
- Functions
- Outputs
- Feedback
Attributes
- Open/Closed
- Variables
- Rules / Algorithms
- Structures
- Relationships
Observability
- Metrics
- Heuristics
- Goals
- Performance
- Bottlenecks
Extras
- Subsystems
- Fractal
- Chaos
- Emergence
- Web of life
Donella Meadows' 12 Leverage Points
- 12. Constants, parameters, numbers
- 11. The sizes of buffers and other stabilizing stocks
- 10. The structure of material stocks and flows
- 9. The lengths of delays, relative to the rate of system change
- 8. The strength of negative feedback loops
- 7. The gain around driving positive feedback loops
- 6. The structure of information flows
- 5. The rules of the system
- 4. The power to add, change, evolve, or self-organize system structure
- 3. The goals of the system
- 2. The mindset or paradigm out of which the system arises
- 1. The power to transcend paradigms
Theory of Constraints 5-Step Process
- 1. Identify the constraint
- 2. Exploit the constraint
- 3. Subordinate everything else to the constraint
- 4. Elevate the constraint
- 5. Repeat the process