Sheryl Cababa on Systems Thinking for Social Change
May 7, 2023
39:33
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Quick takeaways
Systems thinking in design can be a catalyst for social change, broadening the impact of design projects.
Understanding and applying systems thinking in design allows for a deeper analysis of the behavior and purpose of the interconnected parts within a system.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Design Thinking and Systems Thinking
The guest, Cheryl Cababa, discusses her book 'Closing the Loop' which explores the intersection of design thinking and systems thinking. She highlights the synergy between these two approaches and emphasizes the importance of considering the broader system when designing solutions. She also discusses the limitations of user-centered design and how systems thinking can address these shortcomings by considering multiple stakeholders, behaviors, and impacts. Cababa shares examples of using systems thinking to broaden the focus of design projects, even within organizational constraints.
Understanding Systems Thinking
Cababa explains systems thinking as the understanding of interconnected parts or entities that form a system with its own purpose and outcomes. She discusses how systems thinking goes beyond the individual and considers the behaviors and purpose of the system. Cababa also highlights the importance of acknowledging the impact of systems in design and provides examples of using systems thinking to analyze dynamics within families or the behavior of organizations.
Applying Systems Thinking in Design
Cababa discusses how designers can apply systems thinking to expand their thinking and make better design decisions. She emphasizes the need for designers to understand the incentives and barriers of different stakeholders beyond just the users of their products. Cababa shares examples of how systems thinking can lead to innovative solutions and broaden the impact of design projects, even in production-level roles.
Empowering Designers to Create Change
Cababa encourages designers to embrace their agency and challenge the notion of limited influence within organizations. She suggests that designers should advocate for ideas they believe in and make a case for their value, whether it aligns with their immediate responsibilities or not. Cababa believes that designers have the potential to drive change at various levels, from organizational to societal, by using systems thinking to analyze the context, stakeholders, and potential impacts of their work.
Sheryl Cababa is the Chief Strategy Officer of Substantial, an experience design consultancy based in Seattle. She’s the author of Closing the Loop, a new book about systems thinking in design. The book emphasizes the role designers can play as catalysts for social change, and that is the focus of our conversation.
