Skip to main content
Stay updated

Connecting the dots: creating solutions for lasting change

27 Jul 2021
Resources and Downloads
Connecting-the-dots---Creating-solutions-for-lasting-change(1)-725-x-960
Body

Systems thinking is an approach used to tackle complex problems. It looks beyond individuals and events and into the wider, interconnected set of causes that have driven problems to where they are today. By focusing on the problems’ drivers – and, most importantly, how they are connected to and influenced by one another – you can develop a more holistic perspective and design better actions.  

Download the module here

 

Connecting the dots outlines will support councils to learn how to apply systems thinking, in practical terms, to health issues facing the community.

 

What are the benefits for councils? 

Councils will learn how to facilitate a participatory systems thinking workshop process with participants from the local community.  

They will draw on concepts and practises from systems thinking to help their community develop a shared vision of the local drivers of children and young people’s health and wellbeing and agree on the highest-priority policy and program options for action. 

After completing this module, councils will be able to use systems thinking as a framework to investigate health issues facing their communities, both internally and when consulting with community members. Councils will also learn how to monitor, identify and refine actions taken to improve community health over time. 
 
 

What you'll find in this module? 

 

Impact stream: Understanding systems thinking approaches 

Intended outcomes 

  • familiarity with the fundamental concepts of systems thinking, including system mapping, feedback loops, non-linearity, and unintended consequences 
  • understanding the application of systems thinking concepts to the practical examination of complex problems 
  • understanding the practical application of systems thinking to community engagement and action planning 
  • emerging understanding of how to design and tailor participatory systems thinking workshops with community participants based on a given problem, objective, and population  
  • confidence using the STICKE software platform to build system maps 
  • understanding the alignment between current team skillsets and roles required to facilitate systems thinking workshops 
  • emerging understanding of the alignment between the concepts and practical methods of systems thinking and how it is relevant to local government. 

 

Implementation action: Develop systems thinking facilitation capability 

In this implementation action, Councils will: 

  • Establish a core team to lead and deliver the systems thinking work for council.  
  • Participate in the first part of the capacity building workshops: Foundations in systems thinking and facilitation.  
  • Work as a core team and meet as required outside the formal ‘foundations’ sessions to solidify skills learned and progress initial planning and scoping activities.  
  • Regularly engage with Deakin’s regionally based Systems Thinking Advisors

 

Impact stream: Actioning new systems thinking approaches 

Intended outcomes 

  • applying a systems thinking approach to prioritising, delivering and monitoring community-informed action 
  • strategic use of council resources to suppor t and encourage community-driven action, alongside direct implementation of community-informed actions 
  • ongoing consideration of how systems thinking approaches may be adapted to complementar y priorities within council that may streng then work with children and young people 
  • co-learning with other par ticipating councils, with a focus on generating new practises, and sustaining capacity for systems thinking internally and across councils. 

 

Implementation action: Systems thinking community workshops 

In this implementation action, will: 

  • Participate in the second part of the capacity building process: Workshop preparation and delivery support. This will be delivered online as weekly-to-for tnightly 2-hour seminars scheduled alongside the deliver y of systems thinking community workshops. 
  • Work as a core team of facilitators to formally progress plans for, and deliver systems thinking community workshops. Workshop plans should refer to the support and guidance delivered through the ‘prep and support’ seminars, and outline contact with Systems Thinking Advisors. 
  • Deliver participatory systems thinking workshops with a group of community participants to develop a system map of children and young people’s health and wellbeing, and identify corresponding priorities for action.  
  • Support and guide action, following the conclusion of the community workshops. 
  • Collate information about the progress of known emerging and ongoing actions, using the functionality made available through STICKE. 
  • Regularly engage with Deakin’s Systems Thinking Advisors     

Return to our main Fast-track council web page here.


Artwork by Dexx (Gunditjmara/Boon Wurrung) ‘Mobs Coming Together’ 2022
VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.
This website may contain images, names and voices of deceased people.

VicHealth acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.

Artwork Credit: Dexx (Gunditjmara/Boon Wurrung) ‘Mobs Coming Together’ 2022, acrylic on canvas. Learn more about this artwork.