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The Systems Thinking Playbook: Exercises to Stretch and Build Learning and Systems Thinking Capabilities
This book has become a favorite of K–12 teachers, university faculty, and corporate consultants. It provides short gaming exercises that illustrate the subtleties of systems thinking. The companion DVD shows the authors introducing and running each of the thirty games. The thirty games are classified by these areas of learning: Systems Thinking, Mental Models, Team Learning, Shared Vision, and Personal Mastery. Each description clearly explains when, how, and why the game is useful. There are explicit instructions for debriefing each exercise as well as a list of all required materials. A summary matrix has been added for a quick glance at all thirty games. When you are in a hurry to find just the right initiative for some part of your course, the matrix will help you find it. Linda Booth Sweeney and Dennis Meadows both have many years of experience in teaching complex concepts. This book reflects their insights. Every game works well and provokes a deep variety of new insights about paradigms, system boundaries, causal-loop diagrams, reference modes, and leverage points. Each of the thirty exercises here was tested and refined many times until it became a reliable source of learning. Some of the games are adapted from classics of the outdoor education field. Others are completely new. But all of them complement readings and lectures to help participants understand intuitively the principles of systems thinking.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2010
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1,135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 5, 2014
A fun and insightful book. Depending on what one's interest in the book is, it can be read from many perspectives. I, personally, enjoyed bits of it for personal development, but the core of my interest was its illustrations of systems thinking and dynamics. I took plenty of notes and got to explore some of the resources referenced in the book. Being a very open book (to the needs and desires of many different people), my favorite quote has, at first sight, nothing to do with systems thinking, but rather with personal development [After reading the whole book though, one would of course realize that the two are nicely intertwined :) ]:
"Decide on your capacity and keep the demands on your group below that, so you can maintain your quality standards. You can't handle an infinite work load. Something will limit the amount of work you can do. Either pick the limits, or the system will. Generally, the system's limits will come at a level that produces low quality" (p. 250).
"Decide on your capacity and keep the demands on your group below that, so you can maintain your quality standards. You can't handle an infinite work load. Something will limit the amount of work you can do. Either pick the limits, or the system will. Generally, the system's limits will come at a level that produces low quality" (p. 250).
February 1, 2020
Book explains games for improving systematic thinking. It provides step by step instructions for games but it does not provide good pictures so doing some games just by instructions could be hard.
July 26, 2023
Really need to revisit and, most importantly, experiment with the exercises while doing classes next semester. We'll see from there if my rating gets adjusted.
I found it entertaining to read, the structuring of the exercises was helpful, but I really had quite a hard time to wrap my head around how to put these into a classroom setting (i.e. an educational context) where almost everyone, including those we call teacher/lecturer/coach, has no previous experience in systems thinking and/or systems practice.
I found it entertaining to read, the structuring of the exercises was helpful, but I really had quite a hard time to wrap my head around how to put these into a classroom setting (i.e. an educational context) where almost everyone, including those we call teacher/lecturer/coach, has no previous experience in systems thinking and/or systems practice.
July 27, 2014
This handy reference provides a variety of exercises--some quick and easy, some complex and in-depth--to help groups better understand team dynamics and systems theory. Many interactive ways to encourage learning and personal insight and helpful for illustrating issues that crop up when systems undergo change. The activities are explained well and the debrief suggestions are excellent.
January 3, 2013
Great reference, excellent activities. Will keep it handy at my desk and use often.
August 10, 2014
Great book for discovering simple activities around systems thinking. Very practical and easy to use.
July 25, 2016
Great book, lot of inspiring exercises and good explanation of the underlying knowledge
June 30, 2022
Must read and use for anyone busy with systems thinking.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews