Systems Thinking Tools can be used to make sound decisions and solutions.

1. Tools in Systems
Thinking

2. AFFINITY DIAGRAM
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A tool that gathers large amounts of
data such as ideas, opinions, issues,
facts-and organizes them into
groupings based on their natural
relationships

3. 3
An affinity diagram (sometimes called a KJ
method diagram) is a useful way to group
tasks, facts or ideas according to themes.
It is particularly helpful when you have a
large and complex problem that you want
to understand. It is often used to analyze
brainstorming sessions or survey results.

4. 4
1. Write each item on a card.
2. Group related cards into themes. Continue
until all the cards are grouped (some may be
in groups of 1 card). If this is being done as a
team, it is usually recommended that it is
done in silence (to avoid unduly influencing
each other).
3. Discuss any patterns that have arisen.
The steps of creating an
affinity diagram are:

7. “
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◍ Causal Loop Diagram
 A tool to map out the patterns
of relationships within dynamic
systems

8. Causal Loop Diagrams
• A useful way to represent dynamic interrelationships
• Provide a visual representation with which to communicate that
understanding
• Make explicit one's understanding of a system structure - Capture the
mental model
SYSTEMS THINKING TOOLS

9. 9
+
-

10. Three Components of Causal Loop
Diagrams
◍ Theme
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Situation or issue that needed solutions
Example: What do you do when you are
thirsty?
◍ Variables
Represent parts of the system that may
either increase or decrease
Examples: Thirsty and Drink

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◍ Links, Arrows and Symbols
Show the relationship and direction of
influence between variables

12. Variables - an element in a situation which may act or be
acted upon
 Vary up or down over time (not an event)
 Nouns or noun phrases (not action words)
Links / Arrows - show the relationship and the direction
of influence between variables
S's and O's - show the way one variable moves or changes
in relation to another
 S or + stands for "same direction”
 O or - stands for "opposite direction”
or B - Balancing feedback loop that seeks equilibrium
or R - Reinforcing feedback loop that amplifies
change
Components of Causal Loop Diagrams

13. Types of Causal Loop Diagram
◍ Reinforcing Feedback Loop
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Theme: “What makes for good student performance?”
Variables: Good studying habits and student performance
Student
Performance
Good
studying
habits
+
+
R

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+
-
B
◍ Balancing Feedback Loop

15. 3. Concept Fan
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is a way of discovering alternative approach’s to a problem when you
have discarded all obvious solutions. It develops the principle of
'taking a step back' to get a broader viewpoint. Initially, the Concept
Fan requires you to draw a circle in the middle of a large piece of
paper. Write the problem you are trying to solve in the circle. To the
right of it radiate lines representing possible solutions to the problem
see the diagram below:

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It is possible that the ideas you have come up with are impractical or do not
really solve the problem. If this is the case, take a 'step back' for a broader
analysis of the problem. Drawing a circle to the left of the first circle does this,
writing the broader definition into this new circle and linking it with an arrow to
show that it comes from the first circle, see diagram below:
Use this as a starting point to radiate out other ideas, if this does not give you
an adequate amount of new ideas, you can take yet another step back (and
another, and another…)

17. Make your concept fan
Choose one idea from your affinity diagram, and
generate options on how you can fulfil or get what
you like, using the concept fan.
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◍ In the middle of a blank sheet paper, draw a circle.
◍ Write the problem you are trying to solve in the circle
◍ To the right of the circle, radiate lines representing
possible solutions to the problem. Write any solution you
can think of. One line, one solution.
◍ To the left of the first circle, draw another circle.
◍ Write the broader perspective using your problem as basis
◍ Link your first circle to the second circle with an arrow,
showing that your problem in the first circle springs or
roots from the second circle.