Systems approaches symposium in Colombia
Video transcript
Well, a systems approach is about thinking about the interconnection between different elements. So there’s both kind of what you might call social elements, technical, engineering elements and environmental, political elements to it. And I think, you know, Engineering X is providing a really great platform for allowing us to develop the skills and abilities to do that. With the kind of changing context we’re in where everything is interconnected, we've got the network economy, the network society, the kind of impacts of global geopolitical situations, everything is much more connected and everything is much more uncertain and much more dynamic. I mean, everybody does have systems skills is what I said when I started out, but everybody has to be more conscious about the systemic because of the network thing, the interconnections and the speed with which things travel. I'm from here, from Colombia, from Antioquia University, and in my work, I am using causal loop diagrams for understanding, for example, a supply chain of bioethanol and waste management systems in cities and capacity of recycling. Systems thinking changed my life because now I am watching all the problems with systems thinking. It’s a natural tool for implementing the circular economy. To take a systems approach to me, also to take away from this symposium as for now, is sort of looking at the width of the project, and also how deep we go. Width as in who do we include, the stakeholders that we include? Who do we listen to?
Who do we invite to the table? the Depth as in how deep we go in our conversations, or do we go deep enough to actually understand the mindsets on where these challenges are actually coming from?
I have found, with Professor Yasmin, very useful the soft systems approach. This approach is very useful to hear every actor because everyone has a bias that only hears the people that are talking too loud. So with this approach, we can listen to every actor and understand his or her point of view. The refreshing thing about Engineering X is that it's actually recognising that kind of social aspect. And the idea that, you know, technological inventions lose value if they're not actually designed in a way that has in mind what it looks like when it is in use.
Taking a systems approach to handle complexity
As an attempt to deal with complex issues, and the systems in the world around us, different methods, frameworks and ways of understanding different angles of a complex system have emerged. These types of new methods can be referred to as systems approaches.
By concept, a systems approach is seen as a holistic and collaborative methodology for addressing complex issues. It shows that systems are made up of a series of interconnected and interdependent elements or individuals, with relationships and interactions among them. It requires you to understand the environment the system is in, whether that it is social-technical or political, and how it interacts with other parts, including the effects that emerge that may go unnoticed when you see the problem in a linear way. Without this holistic understanding, we often tend not to see the intended or unintended side effects that the system produces from the decisions we make.
However, a true systems approach does not deliver solely technical solutions. We can apply systems approaches in different ways, themes and throughout a project cycle. It ensures the appropriate alignment of technology, processes, interactions and policy to deliver innovative responses to today’s most complex and pressing challenges.
In the programme, we have started to explore how systems approaches can be put into practice, and the lessons that can be learnt from this.
Systems approaches in practice
One of the recent ways systems approaches was put into practice was through the Frontiers symposia event in April. This event brought together people from different disciplines while also integrating systems practitioners in the mix. It used diverse systems methods to frame discussions around the energy transition challenge, upskilling participants in systems approaches to tackle complex challenges and contribute to safer and sustainable systems effectively.
Find out how systems approaches are one of the keys to continue the progress to achieving a just energy transition in Colombia.
Explore more on how the Royal Academy of Engineering have applied systems approaches and our compilation of case studies that provide insights into how the design, construction, operation, management and governance of complex systems may result in safe or unsafe outcomes.
Systems approaches in a just energy transition for equitable access
Delegates from different disciplines and 23 countries came together to discuss how systems approaches can support the transition to sustainable, equitable energy across the globe.
Just energy transition in Colombia
Find out how Colombia is transitioning towards a just energy future.
Case studies
Engineering X commissioned the development of 18 unique case studies by awardees from across academia and industry about Safer Complex Systems