University of the Witwatersrand

Critical Systems Thinking

Take your Project Management journey to a whole new level, with deeper insights and advanced technical knowledge of the science behind projects.

R20,748.70 (excl. VAT)

To be confirmed.

Digital Campus Critical Systems Thinking Course

Online course information

Overview

We live in a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Systems thinking expert, Michael C Jackson, highlights the demand these characteristics place on decision- makers at every level to manage the emergent complexity within our organisations, society, and environment. These global challenges require a new way of thinking. Systems thinking is an essential future-fit leadership skill.

Critical Systems Thinking provides a framework in which we can apply Systems Thinking methodologies and models in considering new and existing situations and approaching these from multiple perspectives, disciplines, and skills.

This course aims to assist learners to look at situations, whether complex, wicked or simple, more holistically by adopting a collaborative approach on how to view systems, and people as part of the system.

Developing a systems thinking approach enables you to shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive mindset. “Traditionally systems thinking courses teach you how to model a system interaction, in this course, the focus is on the identification of problems and the right tools to help solve them, helping you do something different on Monday”, says Letlotlo


Curriculum

  • Module 1: Critical Systems Thinking Overview
  • Module 2: System Concepts
  • Module 3: System of Systems Capability Issues
  • Module 4: The Enterprise and Technological Environment
  • Module 5: Critical Systems Thinking Methodology

Outcomes

  • Define a system, its context within its environment, its boundaries and interfaces and that it has a lifecycle.
  • Understand the global environment, human and societal needs, policy, and business challenges from a Systems perspective.
  • Develop an awareness of the role a System plays in a System of Systems of which it is a part and appreciate the interaction between the system and its environment.
  • Apply Systems Thinking tools and techniques to address complex situations in your own environment.
  • Appreciate multiple perspectives to a given situation and recognise how to work with these.
  • Recognise the evolution of systems within an enterprise and its technological environment.
  • Determine the root cause(s) of a situation, and through synthesis, create feasible solutions for such identified root causes.
  • Relate the key principles and methods of Systems Thinking to your professional practice in dealing with complex, wicked or simple situations.

How will you learn?

  • Module 1: Critical Systems Thinking Overview
  • Module 2: System Concepts
  • Module 3: System of Systems Capability Issues
  • Module 4: The Enterprise and Technological Environment
  • Module 5: Critical Systems Thinking Methodology

What will you achieve?

  • Define a system, its context within its environment, its boundaries and interfaces and that it has a lifecycle.
  • Understand the global environment, human and societal needs, policy, and business challenges from a Systems perspective.
  • Develop an awareness of the role a System plays in a System of Systems of which it is a part and appreciate the interaction between the system and its environment.
  • Apply Systems Thinking tools and techniques to address complex situations in your own environment.
  • Appreciate multiple perspectives to a given situation and recognise how to work with these.
  • Recognise the evolution of systems within an enterprise and its technological environment.
  • Determine the root cause(s) of a situation, and through synthesis, create feasible solutions for such identified root causes.
  • Relate the key principles and methods of Systems Thinking to your professional practice in dealing with complex, wicked or simple situations.

How will you learn?

  • Module 1: Critical Systems Thinking Overview
  • Module 2: System Concepts
  • Module 3: System of Systems Capability Issues
  • Module 4: The Enterprise and Technological Environment
  • Module 5: Critical Systems Thinking Methodology

What will you achieve?

  • Define a system, its context within its environment, its boundaries and interfaces and that it has a lifecycle.
  • Understand the global environment, human and societal needs, policy, and business challenges from a Systems perspective.
  • Develop an awareness of the role a System plays in a System of Systems of which it is a part and appreciate the interaction between the system and its environment.
  • Apply Systems Thinking tools and techniques to address complex situations in your own environment.
  • Appreciate multiple perspectives to a given situation and recognise how to work with these.
  • Recognise the evolution of systems within an enterprise and its technological environment.
  • Determine the root cause(s) of a situation, and through synthesis, create feasible solutions for such identified root causes.
  • Relate the key principles and methods of Systems Thinking to your professional practice in dealing with complex, wicked or simple situations.
Course summary
Format:

Certified Online Short Course

NQF level:

6

Duration:

2 Days

Certification:

Certified Online Short Course

Language

English

Course Lecturer

OR

Ms. Odette Ramsingh

(Human resources and personal mastery)

OR

Ms. Odette Ramsingh

(Human resources and personal mastery)

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Students. Accomplished

With the experiece and the learning that I have acquired from this course my work is more efficient now and I think I am a better professional.

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