Systems Thinking Essentials: Tools for Key Workplace Challenges (Video course)

Description

2+ Hours of Video Instruction

Develop practical systems thinking skills to understand complex workplace challenges, uncover root causes, and design solutions that solve the right problems, without creating new ones elsewhere.

Overview

Many business problems persist because they are systemic rather than isolated. Quick fixes often fail to address underlying causes and can create unintended consequences. Professionals who can think systemically are better equipped to solve complex problems, improve decision-making, and drive sustainable change. These capabilities are increasingly valuable across industries and functions.

In this course, author and trainer Emma Sue Prince introduces practical Systems Thinking tools that help learners understand complexity, recognize patterns, identify leverage points, and make better decisions.

Career Success Series

The Career Success Series from Pearson addresses essential skills for your personal and professional development in the areas of communication, presentation, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and resilience. These skills are critical for any industry, any job title, and any career stagewhether you are just starting out or have been in the workforce for years. Expert trainers deliver practical tools and techniques you can use to enhance your resume, excel in your career, or simply enrich your life skills.

Learn How To

• Recognize systemic problems
• Identify feedback loops
• Avoid unintended consequences
• Apply systems maps
• Find leverage points
• Improve decision-making in complex environments

Who Should Take This Course

Managers, project professionals, technical teams, and knowledge workers dealing with complex organizational challenges.

About Pearson Video Training

Pearson publishes expert-led video tutorials covering a wide range of professional and personal development topics. Learn more at www.informit.com/video.

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Lesson 1: Why Problems Keep Coming Back
1.1 Why systemic problems persist
1.2 Event level thinking vs systemic thinking
1.3 What is systems thinking?
1.4 Noticing interconnections and patterns in recurring problems
1.5 Observing and tracking patterns over time
1.6 Simple, complicated, and complex problems
1.7 Emergent behavior: The traffic jam effect
1.8 The Systems Lens framework
1.9 Case study: The delivery slow down loop
1.10 Shifting from blame to structure
Lesson 2: Mapping Systems and Feedback Loops
2.1 What is a feedback loop?
2.2 Understanding cause and effect over time
2.3 Reinforcing loops explained
2.4 Balancing loops explained
2.5 Case study: Growth and onboarding overload
2.6 Common workplace system patterns: Burnout
2.7 Common workplace system patterns: Firefighting
2.8 Common workplace system patterns: Growth limits and escalation
2.9 Building a simple causal loop diagram
2.10 Feed or interrupt: Applying loop awareness
Lesson 3: Leverage Points and Better Decision-Making
3.1 Why well-intended fixes backfire
3.2 Ignoring delays and unintended consequences
3.3 Case study: When customer satisfaction stalls
3.4 Identifying structural silos
3.5 What are leverage points?
3.6 The five leverage questions
3.7 Low to high leverage points
3.8 Simulating "What happens next?"
Lesson 4: Applying Systems Thinking Daily
4.1 Habits and mental models
4.2 Habit 1: Slow your first conclusion
4.3 Habit 2: Expand the system boundary
4.4 Habit 3: Ask "What happens next?"
4.5 Mental models and the iceberg
4.6 The dual iceberg: Customer and organization
4.7 Three systems thinking tools to use tomorrow
4.8 Applying systems thinking to your challenge

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