Designers can enhance problem-solving by adopting systems thinking, which involves understanding interconnectedness and causality.
Expanding the stakeholder perspective and engaging with experts can lead to a more holistic understanding of design problems.
Deep dives
Systems Thinking for Designers
Cheryl Kabbabah, the chief strategy officer at Substantial and author of 'Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers,' shares insights on the importance of systems thinking for designers. She highlights three key concepts in systems thinking: interconnectedness, causality, and wholeness. By understanding how things are interconnected, how one thing leads to another, and considering the entirety of a system, designers can have a more holistic approach to problem-solving. Cheryl emphasizes the need to expand the stakeholder perspective beyond users and involve various experts, including academic researchers, to gain a deeper understanding of the problem space. She also encourages designers to utilize their visual communication skills and existing analysis processes to incorporate systems thinking into their work.
Gaps in Design Thinking
Cheryl explores the gaps in design thinking that can be addressed by systems thinking. While design thinking focuses on user-centered design, it often overlooks other stakeholders and the broader impact of design choices. Cheryl emphasizes the need to consider the unintended consequences of design and expand the understanding of stakeholders beyond users and clients. By considering interconnectedness, causality, and wholeness, designers can address complex issues and make more informed decisions. She suggests engaging with academic researchers and other experts to broaden the understanding of the problem space and build alignment between stakeholders.
Implementing Systems Thinking
Cheryl provides insights on how designers can implement systems thinking in their work. She highlights that designers don't need to completely shift their practice but can integrate systems thinking into their existing processes. Utilizing frameworks like causal loop diagrams and conducting analysis on the status quo can help expand the understanding of a problem space. Cheryl also emphasizes the importance of building relationships with stakeholders beyond clients and users, including academic researchers and experts in relevant fields. By gaining a systems perspective and facilitating knowledge sharing, designers can approach problem-solving more creatively and address complex issues.
The Power of Systems Thinking
Cheryl emphasizes the power of systems thinking for designers. Embracing systems thinking allows designers to see the interconnectedness of various factors, understand causality, and consider the wholeness of a system. This expanded perspective helps identify opportunities for creative problem-solving and innovation. Cheryl encourages designers to adopt a systems mindset, even if they don't use specific systems thinking tools. She suggests looking for system connections beyond design projects, such as in organizations or personal contexts. Developing a systems thinking mindset empowers designers to have a broader impact and make informed decisions that consider the complexity of the systems they work within.
In this episode, we chat with Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial and author of "Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers." She introduces the concept of systems thinking, which is a way to consider the broader implications of design decisions.
By examining the entire problem and understanding the interconnections between various components, designers can anticipate and address potential issues and create more holistic and impactful solutions.
🎤About Our Guest:
Sheryl Cababa is the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, and the Author of “Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers”, which was just published by Rosenfeld Media. Sheryl is a seasoned design & strategy leader who’s worked with consultancies including Frog and Adaptive Path.
