Cybernetics
The field of study concerned with the principles of control and communication based on feedback loops, in both living systems and machines. The name comes…
Leverage Mental Models
In the context of Systems Thinking, the act of identifying and changing a fundamental mental model is considered the highest point of leverage, leading to…
Mental Models
A deeply held set of assumptions, beliefs, and images that shape how an individual or group understands the world and takes action. They are the…
Unconscious Belief
A mental model that operates automatically without the person being fully aware of it. These beliefs are often the strongest drivers of system-level failure because…
Leverage Point
A place in the system where a small action can lead to a large, lasting change. Due to complexity, these points are often not obvious…
Fuzzy Boundary
The lack of a clear, fixed edge of a system. Complex systems often have fuzzy boundaries because they are constantly interacting with their environment, making…
Complex System
A system characterized by a large number of interconnected variables, nonlinear relationships, and significant time delays, making its behavior difficult to predict and control. Examples…
Systems Archetypes
Systems Archetypes are classic "stories" or common patterns that repeat themselves in many different situations, from a company's struggles to a person's personal habits. They…
Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking is a way of looking at the world that focuses on recognizing the connections between different parts of a system. Instead of viewing…
Behavior Over Time Graph (BOT)
A Behavior Over Time (BOT) graph is a graph that shows how a problem or a variable in a system changes over time. These graphs…