Guidance
Systems thinking and practice
A guide to concepts, principles and tools for FCDO and partners
Jim Woodhill
Juliet Millican
- Published by
- K4D, Institute of Development Studies
This guide offers an insight into the theoretical foundations, conceptual frameworks and facilitation tools for adopting a systems mindset and putting it into practice
It is a basic reference on systems thinking and practice tailored to the context and needs of the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development
Office (FCDO). It is an output of the FCDO Knowledge for Development Programme (K4D), which facilitated a learning journey on systems thinking and practice with FCDO staff during 2021 and 2022.
It offers a common language and shared framing of systems thinking for FCDO and its partners. It explores what this implies for working practices, business processes and leadership.
It includes chapters on: the implications of systems thinking for social change, governance and leadership; overcoming institutional barriers to systems thinking and practice; and tools for getting started with systems analysis.