Introduction
The first approach that was used in analyzing is the traditional analysis focuses on the separating individual pieces of what is being studied ( n.d.). However, because it only focuses to the part of the system and not as a whole, it causes problems in managing and analyzing problems in a system of an organization. The approach of systems thinking is essentially different from that of traditional forms of analysis. Systems thinking in contrast focus on how the thing being studied interacts with the other constituents of the system to produce behavior ( n.d.).
System thinking was founded in 1956 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, . He recognized the need for a better way of testing new ideas about social systems, in the same way as testing ideas in engineering. Systems thinking allows people to make their understanding of social systems explicit and improve them in the same way that people can use engineering ( n.d.).
What is Systems Thinking?
Systems thinking focuses on how the thing being studied interacts with the other constituents of the system – a set of elements that interact to produce behavior – of which it is part ( n.d.). System thinking offers a powerful and new perspective, a specialized language and set of tools that can be used to address the most stubborn problems that can be encountered by an individual in his daily life and work (. n.d.). System thinking is a way that will help people to understand the reality in emphasizing the relationships of the system’s part, rather than the parts themselves. Based on a field of study known as system dynamics, systems thinking have a practical value that rests on a solid theoretical foundation (. n.d.). Systems thinking center to the understanding of a system by examining the linkages, interactions and relationships between the elements that encompass the whole system (, 2007).
Systems thinking is the visualizing of all processes simultaneously as a continuously functioning unit. It is the true meta-level (, 1997). System thinking is a way of helping a person to view systems from a broad perspective that includes seeing overall structures, patterns and cycles in systems, rather than seeing only specific events in the system (, 1997).
Concept of Systems Thinking
The defining characteristics of a system is that it cannot be understood as a function of its isolated components. First, the behavior of the system doesn’t depend on what each part is doing but on how each part is interacting with the rest. Second, to understand a system we need to understand how it fits into the larger system of which it is a part. Third, and the most important, what we call the parts need not be taken as primary. In fact, how we define the parts is fundamentally a matter of perspective and purpose, not intrinsic in the nature of the ‘real thing’ we are looking at ( and , 1993, ) (cited in , 1996).
Importance of Systems Thinking
Systems thinking is an approach that allows any organization to be understood and managed as a single entity. It is the management approach for the 21st century – the newly emerging de-facto way of effectively managing organizations in an ever-increasingly complex business environment ( n.d.). It is an approach that helps an organization to view the system in broad view that can help them to quickly identify the real causes of issues in organizations and know just where to work to address them.
Benefits of Systems Thinking
1. Problem Solving Methods – problem solving method will be more effective with the use of the systems thinking approach. This is because it will ensure that the real causes of a problem will be identified. This is due to the fact that systems thinking helps the management to relate the connections of different part of the system. Quick fixes and band-aid solutions are avoided. Instead, the managers will seek to understand the big-picture and to learn the exact reason and cause of the problem (, 2005).
2. Improvement in Leadership – this is because the management has the knowledge on how each part of the systems related to each other. This will be helpful in planning effectively.
3. Effective Communication – like any businesses or organizations, a good communication is needed in order to survive and flourish. Without clear understanding of the parts of an organizations and how they are related to each other, it is difficult to know what to communicate and to whom (, 2005). The approach will be helpful in communicating with the employees in the lower-level management.
4. Effective Planning – to plan for a system it is necessary to be totally clear about what it is an organization’s trying to accomplish. This means that the organization must pay attention to the lower level or to the smallest unit or part of the system.
5. Development of an Organization – the use of systems thinking will lead to an edge against the competitors; this is because of many reasons such as proper management of the system and its all parts.
Conclusion
After analyzing the different perspectives of different people found in the Internet and other resources, I therefore conclude that systems thinking is a very good approach in managing an organization. This is very effective due to the fact that it focuses on the relationships and connections of the different parts of a system and how does that connection affect the system as a whole. Systems thinking is an intelligent approach that go down to the lowest level and focus to small problems of small part that may look not that important but one of the factors that affects the performance of the system, of an organization in general.
All of the parts of a system or organization are all interdependent and plays a vital role in the overall performance. If any of this part fails then the whole and general performance will be affected ( n.d.).
Bibliography
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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