Practically Applying Systems Thinking
We can use systems thinking as a tool to understand and solve complex problems. Practically, this means:
- Understanding the system we’re working in and the future we want to create
- Understanding the places in a system where a small shift can lead to big improvements (‘leverage points of change’). This helps us identify where we should focus our energy and what interventions we should design
- Creating feedback loops to understand our impact, continually improving and experimenting
- Sustain and Scale
Below is a list of useful tools and resources to guide you through each stage. Please also see our blog on ‘Understanding Systems Change in Practice’
Our Introductory Reading
‘Understanding Systems Change in Practice’
‘Intro: Building a Strategy for Systems Change’
‘Cheat Sheet: Analysing Systems Change Potential’
General Toolkits
NPC’s Systems Change: A Guide to What it is and How to Do it
Start Network’s Systems Change Toolkit
Elrha’s Humanitarian Innovation Guide
Nesta’s Systems Change Practical Guide
The Omidyar Group Systems Thinking Workbook
Understanding the System
Systems Mapping: Helps visualise relationships, power dynamics, and feedback loops.
MOJ Digital: Systems Mapping Overview
School of System Change: Mapping Tools Guide
Iceberg Model: A simple tool for exploring underlying structures and mental models.
The Systems Thinker: Iceberg Template
Community Mapping Toolkit: Can be used to map the features, histories, needs and cultures of communities
Concern Worldwide Community Mapping Toolkit
Arts Now Cultural Mapping Toolkit
Interviews with those who have lived-experience
Stakeholder Mapping:
Enterprise Design Thinking Stakeholder Mapping Toolkit
3 Horizons Framework:
Identifying Leverage Points
Leverage Points Framework: Based on Donella Meadows’ classic work.
Donella Meadows Institute – Leverage Points Summary
Journey Mapping / Experience Mapping: Co-create maps of lived experience to reveal system pain points.
IDEO: Human-Centred Design Toolkit
Feedback Loop Analysis:
The Donella Meadows Project Leverage Points
3 Horizons Framework:
Designing Interventions
Theory of Change with a Systems Lens: Helps design strategy informed by systems relationships
Nesta: Systems Change Practical Guide
Co-creation and Participatory Design: Engage diverse voices to shape interventions
DIY Toolkit: Co-creation Methods
Creating Feedback Loops
Learning Loops / After Action Reviews: Build continuous learning into programmes.
UNDP: Systems Thinking and Learning Loops
Outcome Harvesting: Capture unexpected changes and use data for adaptation.
BetterEvaluation: Outcome Harvesting Guide
Sustain and Scale
Scaling Up – From Vision to Large-Scale Change: Tools for Practitioners
Scaling Impact Toolkit – Spring Impact
Learning as You Scale: A Practical Guide
Systems Change Measurement Toolkit – Children & Nature Network
Change Leadership Toolkit for Advancing Systemic Change – USC Pullias Center
UNICEF Advocacy Toolkit: A Guide to Influencing Decisions That Improve Children’s Lives
A Systems Lens 