Innovate
Systems Practice
Learn to use a systems thinking approach to move from “impossible” to impact
Systems Practice
Learn How To
Map a complex system to gain clarity
Identify specific points in the system where you can make a big impact
Create leverage hypotheses to describe how you will aim to create systemic change
Develop a framework for learning and adapting over time as your system changes
Watch a Preview
Course Syllabus
Learning Tools
35 instructional videos featuring Rob Ricigliano, The Systems and Complexity coach for The Omidyar Group
A 94-page Systems Practice workbook produced by The Omidyar Group and Daylight Design
7 workshop guides that break down each stage of a Systems Practice
7 reading guides featuring in-depth case studies Free access to the Kumu.io platform for systems mapping for course participants
Section 1: What Is Systems Practice?
Video: Why Use Systems Practice?
Video: Introduction to the Course from Rob Ricigliano
Video: What is Systems Practice?
Video: Stories of Systems Practice
Video: Misconceptions about Systems Practice
Video: Types of Problems to Address with Systems Practice
Video: Launch Your Systems Practice
Reading: Why We Need Systems Practice
Discussion: Frame Your Systems Challenge
Activity: Complexity Spectrums Chart
Activity: Define Your Systems Challenge
Section 2: Set a Guiding Star and Near Star for Your System
Video: Systems Thinking Mindsets
Video: Setting Goals for Systems Change
Video: Examples of Guiding Stars, Near Stars, and Framing Questions
Reading 2: Systems Practice in Action with Case Studies
Activity: Developing Your Guiding Star and Near Star
Section 3: Explore Forces in Your System
Video: Explore the Forces in your System
Video: Enablers and Inhibitors
Video: Upstream and Downstream Effects
Video: Structural, Attitudinal and Transactional Forces
Reading: Explore Forces in Your System
Activity: SAT Analysis
Section 4: Build Loops and Discover the Deep Structure
Video: Tell the Story of Your Loops
Video: Uncover the Deep Structure
Video: Examples of Uncovering Your Deep Structure
Video: Big Picture Reminder: Why Use Systems Practice?
Reading: Uncover the Story of Your System
Activity: Create Loops
Activity: Discover the Deep Structure
Section 5: Map Your System
Video: Build Your Map
Video: Avoid Getting Stuck
Video: Craft Your Systems Narrative
Video: Socialize Your Map
Reading: Map Your System
Activity: Build Your Map
Activity: Craft Your Narrative
Activity: Socialize and Iterate Your Map
Section 6: Find Opportunities for Leverage
Video: Discover Opportunities for Leverage
Video: Tips for Finding Opportunities for Leverage
Video: Develop Leverage Hypotheses
Reading: Find Opportunities for Leverage
Activity: Develop a Systemic Problem Statement
Activity: Find Opportunities for Leverage
Activity: Articulate Leverage Hypotheses
Section 7: Build a Systems Strategy
Video: How to Pick the Right Leverage Hypotheses
Video: Fast and Slow Variables
Video: Scaffold Your Learning
Video: 4 Drivers of Success in the Systems World
Video: Adapt Quickly
Video: Parting Words from Rob
Reading: Build a Systems Strategy
Activity: Evaluate Fit
Activity: Maximize Potential for Leverage
Activity: Develop Key Performance Questions
Activity: Learn from the System
"Systems Practice is something we recommend to our partners a lot. This is a great crash course into the principles of it."
Pauline
Course Description
With so many interconnected forces at play in our complex world, it’s easy to get discouraged by detours or dead ends when striving to create enduring change. Systems Practice is a way to make sense of complex environments and uncover the dynamics that have the greatest potential for impact.
This course will lead you through each step of understanding a system, analyzing it to find points of leverage, and learning how to adapt in a changing environment. You will also gain a portfolio of step-by-step tools, processes, and mindsets to apply to your current and future work.
Supported By
The Omidyar Group is a collection of companies, organizations, and initiatives focused on empowering individuals to cultivate a thriving world. The Omidyar Group applies the systems approach to many complex issues and has assembled a dynamic team, led by Rob Ricigliano, to coach and support its initiative teams.
VISIT WEBSITERob Ricigliano has been in the field of conflict management and complex negotiations since he attended Harvard Law School almost 30 years ago, engaging in numerous peacebuilding efforts in the social impact field.
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