Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Analyzing and Transitioning Complex Systems

Take a structured approach to systems analysis

Systems analysis is a key tool in driving sustainable changes using systems thinking. Before you can drive systems change, you need to understand how a system works, and the roles and influence of its components so that you can analyse that information to derive meaningful learnings.

Armed with a robust analysis structure, you’ll be able to wade through complex social phenomena to become a more effective change-maker in your area of influence.

Upon completion of this course, you’ll be acquainted with the practice of analysing complex systems and translating your learnings into sound sustainability strategies.

Design actionable interventions for sustainable change

Systems analysis and design play a central role in driving systems change. This course will lay a foundation for your implementation of systems change by giving you the theoretical tools for systems analysis.

You’ll learn to break down complex systems into their different dimensions of time, space, and context. This will allow you to see where you can influence strategic interventions to drive sustainable change. You’ll consider how different interventions can have different scales of impact: direct, indirect, or systematic. You’ll also explore different approaches to complex systems thinking, such as reductionist, holistic, and symbiotic methodologies.

The course focuses on driving meaningful and actionable sustainable change. You will, therefore, explore different strategies for creating roadmaps for large-scale changes, to bring your sustainability goals into reach.

This sustainability management course is designed for anyone who would like to understand how systems analysis can help us to build more sustainable systems.

It would be suitable for purpose-driven professionals at public and private organisations.

• What does sustainability actually mean?
• Welcome
• Back to school: Revisiting The Theoretical Components of SiD
• Systems as Collections of Objects and Networks
• Analyzing Complex Systems
• Complex Systems Thinking
• Building a Clear Analysis Structure
• Taking Stock
• Improving Complex Systems
• Transitioning Systems
• Planning
• Knowledge Check