Working method · Version 0.1

The Method

The Systems Method is a repeatable way to understand and improve complex systems. It is not presented as final or academically proven.

Step 01
Define the outcome
Clarify what meaningful success looks like. Avoid beginning with a preferred technology or solution.
Step 02
Observe the whole system
Identify the system boundary, surrounding environment, history and current operating reality.
Step 03
Map the actors
Identify people, organisations, institutions, technologies and ecosystems that influence or experience the system.
Step 04
Map the flows
Understand how information, resources, money, authority, work and risk move through the system.
Step 05
Map the incentives
Identify what each actor is rewarded, punished or encouraged to do. Distinguish stated goals from actual incentives.
Step 06
Find systemic waste
Look for unnecessary work, waiting, duplication, errors, unused capacity, information delay, preventable failure, premature replacement, misaligned incentives, administrative friction and unnecessary resource consumption.
Step 07
Choose the right division of labour
Decide what should be handled by people, software, automation, artificial intelligence, institutions or physical infrastructure. Do not automate a process that should first be removed or redesigned.
Step 08
Design both layers
Design the invisible operating system and the visible human experience together.
Step 09
Test in reality
Start with the smallest intervention capable of producing meaningful evidence.
Step 10
Measure and evolve
Measure actual outcomes, document learning and update the system continuously.

Reusable framework

System analysis template

Every system studied by The Systems is described using the same thirteen fields.