Systems change — What term should we use?
My colleagues asked me should we be using system(s) change with or without an s or even systemic change. Here is my response to their question, it is quite technical and is about definitions but might help you unpick how you might want to define the term.
When reading it I would encourage you to see what speaks to you — how might you help yourself and others navigate what it means in different settings? How by getting a deeper understanding of different terms can you understand what is informing your way of articulating and using systems change?
A system — is the boundary we put on a pattern/network of relationships that has a function or purpose (based on Meadows definition)– that can be identified as a whole. A system usual exists in the physical world (a forest, a city) but in social systems it also includes systems of thought (e.g. an organisation — has people but also a purpose)
Systemic — is a way of being and knowing in the world — the quality that you describe something as
Rupesh Shah, systems practitioner from Open University, (and a contributor on the School of System Change) — asks us to think of the difference between an Angel and Angelic to understand the difference between these two terms.
I would argue any definition or use of these terms need to be aligned to a living systems perspective (i.e. not a mechanical definition but one that comes from our inherent embeddedness in nature — especially when we are using it for sustainability issues)
Possible options for how you might define systems change:
System Change — A system has changed — there has been a shift of a system from one state to another. This looks as system change as an outcome.
Systems change — Systems are changing all the time — they are constantly moving and adapting
Systemic change — recognises that change is systemic — for example emergent, multi-level/temporal, multi-actor etc.
I personally use all these terms interchangeably — although at the moment am sticking with systems change (plural s) and my definition is as follows:
Systems change — the emergence of a new pattern of organising or system structure (more in my book and PhD 2014, 2015). This definition tries to recognise that systems change is both an outcome and a process — that it is both the shift from one state to another as well as the systemic process of emergence (and all the other qualities we might associated with being systemic).
Here is a blog about the systems change as an outcome and process for more on this.
This is why we at the School of System Change have two ways of assessing and looking at systems change. This thinking has come out of observing the different contributors sessions and participants responses to them. To look at our systems change practice we might ask the questions:
- How is this practice systemic? (process)
- How is it systems changing? (outcome)
Here is the work sheet on this.
In summary we are trying to hold a wider definition of what systems change is — so that we can help people navigate the field and be more inclusive rather than finite. As part of the systems change field convening held this summer we also asked those who came and were invited to share their definition — look at pages 6/7.
What they came up with was different words that basically integrate these two elements:
- Shifting/changing patterns at different levels (mind-set, relationships, structures — meadows leverage points is a good way to think of these)
- To address systemic/complex challenges
- Through intentional systemic processes (there is a long list of these)
- For a flourishing people or planet (or a variation of how you articulate it) — to ensure we are being explicit we are using the term for positive good
At Forum for the Future this matches across to how we define our mission:
- We are creating a big shift/reinventing the way the world works
- Addressing global complex challenges
- Through our systems change practice (5 capabilities) — which include futures, convening and capability building processes
- In order to create a sustainable future
Hope that helps… would be interested in your views… and what definitions you might use….
If you would like to develop your systemic practice alongside a supportive community of peers, please explore School of System Change learning offerings.
