0:00ok systems thinking
0:03a way to maximize program effectiveness systems thinking
0:07maybe you've heard a bit are doing it where you heard that you should be doing
0:11it what is it
0:12and what does it mean for the senior manager let's start by looking at what
0:16the system is
0:17a system any kind of entity that is made up of parts than in iraq
0:22together these parts in their interconnections create a whole
0:25which in turn produces some kinda result using a systems perspective is important
0:31because it helps us to better understand what helps or hinders the successive
0:35health interventions
0:36here's an example me to Zen suzanne is the senior manager any large regional
0:41Health Organization hi readable be citizen issue in her community
0:45and she's been mandated to address this problem her first instinct is to develop
0:50a program to get more people
0:52active but what is realistic to expect from this approach
0:55systems bankers believe that doing a program like this
0:59Park in isolation of a larger system within which it operates
1:03the whole tend to ignore other aspects that might influence its potential for
1:08impact
1:09why research tells us that obesity is the result of a combination of many
1:14physiological psychological social environmental and economic factors
1:19that all interact with one another for example
1:23at the individual level there were issues such as human physiology
1:27exercise habits food choices and one's occupation
1:31but beyond the individual there are other factors at play such as
1:35the local built environment quick and easy access to junk food
1:39and larger food industry practices such as trends in portion sizes
1:44sugar and fat content the interaction up all these influences may go
1:50the city product what we call a complex system issues and we're using systems
1:55approach
1:56she would realize that relying on simple linear cause-and-effect solutions
2:00one program
2:02would ignore those interactions and likely fail while suzanne's staff at the
2:06program level
2:07have a tendency to think only within the boundaries of their program
2:11senior managers and planners like Suzanne are in a unique position to do
2:15with systems
2:16bankers called zooming out zooming out considers how
2:20other aspects outside of programs traditional boundaries both within the
2:24organization and beyond
2:26might implodes the success of the program by suing out in looking at the
2:30includes a bother interventions policies
2:33structures patterns and norms in the broader system
2:36suzanne is better able to strategically consider
2:39other values and perspectives and the inter-relationships among
2:42each me impact obesity rates in her community
2:46in doing so she can identify more powerful
2:49leverage points outside the program that have the potential to facilitate and
2:53support changes in obesity
2:55leverage pointer places within a system that can be tweaked in a way that
2:59supports greater impact for example
3:02other actions Susan and her team I take that could increase the community's
3:06access to opportunities for physical activity while some leverage points are
3:11within susan's capacity to change
3:13others will be beyond her control however
3:17it will still be useful to be aware visa she plans for the program
3:20adopting a system you won't change the boundaries of this program
3:24but it will expand the boundaries of the evaluation
3:27by recognizing the importance of different perspectives in value to those
3:32outside the program
3:33the inter-relationship throughout the system Susan can ensure that the
3:37evaluation is framed in a way that captures the key boundaries
3:41diverse perspectives and relationships that serve as important leverage points
3:45in the system
3:46course shoes and budget more permit an evaluation of the entire system
3:51but she can ensure the any a valuation she commissions
3:55will provide her with more strategic direction on how to effectively address
3:58obesity
3:59within her community for example in addition to recommendations for
4:04improving the program
4:05the results of the evaluation might indicate opportunities for new
4:08partnerships for external policy change it for community has poor walking and
4:13cycling infrastructure
4:15where might cheer team advocate or
4:18who could they collaborate with to make changes by asking these questions
4:22suzanne is finding that using a systems approach PULTURE focus on the broader
4:26issue
4:27will be sitting in her community instead of a single program in our organization
4:31she gives a better understanding what external factors are
4:35influencing the program's success a concert more reasonable expectations
4:39what it can accomplish
4:41he's also
4:42what needs to change both within and outside of the program
4:45the better maximize your organization's effectiveness
4:48many now believe that a systems approach holds the most promise
4:53for addressing complex