More people and organisations are realising that we can’t solve problems in silos, but need to work in systems.  This is what OnePlanet has been working on for eight years and last year developed the concept of ‘Systems Connectors.’ 

On hearing about Systems Connectors at the Systems Thinking Systems Practice conference in Hull in March of this year, Dr Tim Forsyth in Cranfield University’s Centre of Excellence, had this to say: 

“The most important thing that I think has been suggested is there actually a new role in organisations around somebody [a Systems Connector] whose specific task per department, per group is to look at systems engagement… that is a critically important insight and contribution to help us at a societal level to address one of the most complex and pernicious problems we have.  A ground-breaking idea. So simple but so important.”

Cranfield’s Systems Group is headed by Dr Natalie Clewley who explained how they are training increasing numbers of managers in Systems Engineering to address some of the most complex challenges and problems that society faces. A systems engineer will address the root causes of a problem situation, ‘questioning the question’ and looking at it from multiple (possibly conflicting) viewpoints in order to arrive at a set of systems requirements that meet a variety of stakeholder needs.  

Systems approaches are increasingly being recognised as essential.  Thanks to Jason Poole and Andrew Firth of Aperture Strategy Ltd for inviting me and Finlay Gribbin to collaborate and present our joint case study at the conference.