“Thinking in Systems”: Great Book about a Non-Obvious Discipline

Read it for a new perspective on problem solving

Today’s book is not an easy, casual read, but I’m glad I picked it up, as it helped me rethink many of my assumptions:

Systems thinking is a discipline that views everything as a holistic system. Donella Meadow’s book is an excellent primer, explaining the basics of this discipline and showing how it can be applied in both personal and professional life.

Every system consists of multiple elements that receive input, produce output, and share feedback. Systems are complex entities with interconnections and interdependencies that influence and balance one another.

Meadows makes an important point: systems are so complex that we cannot reliably say a specific action (A) caused a particular outcome (B). She argues that our typical cause-and-effect thinking is often incorrect.

An example that immediately came to my mind is project management. No matter how much information a project manager has, how well-documented their project plans and stakeholder maps are, being diligent alone will not guarantee a successful project. Too many factors and events, often beyond project manager’s control, come into play.

“Thinking in Systems” emphasizes the importance of avoiding the illusion that we fully understand the world. We create flowcharts and catalogs and convince ourselves that we know how things work.

However, much of what happens is due to unknown or multiple factors. According to systems thinking, events often occur in specific ways because they are part of a system, where even minor elements can have big repercussions.

I love books like this that make you rethink your assumptions or add depth to what you previously believed.

If you want to read something else about our limitations in understanding the world, I highly recommend “Why Fish Don’t Exist” which is a mesmerizing blend of nonfiction and memoir.

I never post book reviews without a beer recommendation. Books and beers — that’s what I do.

Today’s beer is a Spanish staple, Estrella, enjoyed on the beautiful Cala Salada beach in Ibiza this summer.

I don’t typically go for lagers or pilsners, but when you are on the beach, it’s (almost) a must.