After working through the assigned resources in this module, create a problem catalog to begin exploring problems, problem situations, and the systems in which they appear

Overview: We see problems everywhere in the world. Some people do not have enough to eat, violence has been noted in schools and workplaces, students leave college with a daunting level of debt, and start-up companies often fail to achieve a successful launch. Linear thinking will not solve these types of complex problems. The problem of world hunger cannot be resolved by dropping off food to those who do not have enough to eat, and the problem of student debt will not be solved by simply telling students to avoid borrowing too much.

Systems thinking is fundamentally about solving problems using a systems approach. The first step in solving problems—or at least working toward improving a situation—is appropriately identifying and formulating the problem.

Prompt: After working through the assigned resources in this module, create a problem catalog to begin exploring problems, problem situations, and the systems in which they appear.

Consider problems at various levels:

 Worldwide, cross-national, and cross-cultural problems

 Nationwide problems, affecting all or most Americans

 Problems specific to an economy, an environment, an industry, a company, or an organization

 Problems specific to a population segment such as children, seniors, employed or unemployed, disabled, athletes, executives, engineers, women, and soon.

Note: Be sure to include at least two problems that are related to your own workplace, a former workplace, or a current or former organization that you are affiliated with (church, local government, nonprofit agency you volunteer for, etc.).

Consider using resources such as periodicals, newspapers, magazines, blogs, news websites, discipline-specific journals, conference presentations, and other sources found on the web or in the Shapiro Library. As always in your research, be aware of source credibility and possible bias (your own and that of your source).

List ten problems in your problem catalog and identify system elements, issues, concerns, and questions that would be needed to understand the entire system that contributes to the problem. See the “wrong” (Example One) and “right” (Example Two) examples below. For your own purposes, you should also note your initial thoughts about how the problem might be analyzed using systems thinking and research that might be needed.

Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed:

 State at least ten problems, formulated in a way that leads to systems thinking. At least two problems should be related to your own workplace, a former workplace, or a current or former organization that you are affiliated with (church, local government, non-profit agency you volunteer for, etc.).

 For each problem, identify the problem elements.

 For each problem, identify the problem issues.

 For each problem, identify the concerns and/or questions that one should consider when trying to understand the entire system involved in the problem.

Example One: Linear/reductive solution-as-problem

This example does NOT exhibit systems thinking. It is narrow and linear:

Problem: We need gun control because there are too many guns and people are being murdered.

Elements: Gun owners, NRA lobbyists, lawmakers, violent criminals

Issues: Controlling purchases, background checks, reducing gun ownership

Questions/Concerns: How do we control guns?

Example Two: Systems thinking approach

This problem statement and identification of issues allows you to begin understanding the system that is producing the problem situation:

Problem: In America, there are too many group shootings in schools and other public places.

Elements: Sources of guns, legal and illegal gun supplies, other weapons, victim injuries/deaths

Issues: Gun availability to those who commit the crimes, motivations of shooters, protection of environments, types of guns used in crimes, and gun availability

for defense/protection and alternatives

Questions: Are most crimes committed with legally or illegally obtained guns? What are the underlying societal issues that foster violence? What are the

motivations of the shooters? How do we address underlying issues in a way that fosters nonviolent solutions? How can society as a whole intervene? Is arming oneself for defense purposes a deterrent to violent crime?

Rubric

Guidelines for Submission: Your problem catalog should be submitted as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. If sources are used, they should be cited using APA style.

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