In today’s VUCA world, we are faced with problems coming in fast and furious. In order to resolve such problems quickly, we need to first understand the problems. One of the techniques to understand complex problem is through the use of system archetypes. System archetypes are patterns of behaviour of a system. Let’s us explore some of the system archetypes in this session as well as tips on how to resolve them.
9. System Archetypes
#ISSLearningFest
• Common sub-system patterns (systemic issues) of side-effects and
actions/reactions found within complex systems
• List of Archetypes:
1. Balancing process with delay
2. Fixes that Fail
3. Accidental Adversaries
4. Limits to Growth
5. Attractiveness Principle
6. Success to the Successful
7. Tragedy of the Commons
8. Drifting Goals
9. Escalation
10. Shifting the Burden
17. #ISSLearningFest
Cane toads became the very pests that they
were supposed to destroy.
• No natural
predators
• Breed any
time of the
year
Northern
Territory
Western
Australia
19. S
O
Fixes that Fail
#ISSLearningFest
This archetype describe a situation where a fix is effective in the short-
term but creates side effects for the long-term and may results in the
need for even more fixes.
Causal Loop Diagram
Variable A Variable B
B
• Map out action
and reaction
• Study and
understand
complex scenarios
21. Project Delay – Fixes that Fail
#ISSLearningFest
Project
Delay
Sick
Leave
S
S
Delay
Overtime
O
S
22. A man came home from work
after a hot day outside.
#ISSLearningFest
36°C
House
temperature
34°C
23. Feeling very warm, he switched
on the aircon and set it to 22°C.
#ISSLearningFest
22°C
36°C
House
temperature
34°C
24. He decided to go out for a jog
as dinner was not ready.
#ISSLearningFest
36°C
22°C
House
temperature
34°C
25. A few minutes later, the man’s
wife came home.
#ISSLearningFest
36°C
22°C
House
temperature
33.9°C
26. Feeling warm too, she set the
air-con temperature to 19°C.
#ISSLearningFest
36°C
19°C
House
temperature
33.9°C
27. Then she went to the kitchen
to prepare dinner.
#ISSLearningFest
36°C
19°C
House
temperature
33.9°C
28. The man came home from his run and
was greeted with a freezing house.
#ISSLearningFest
36°C
19°C
House
temperature
19°C
Kitchen
temperature
25°C
29. Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
This archetype explains the system in which the response to action is delayed.
30. Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
GAP
Corrective
Action
Actual B
S
O
S
Delay
Desired Level S
This archetype explains the system in which the response to action is delayed.
The bigger the gap,
the more corrective
action taken
The more
corrective action
taken, the closer we
get to the actual state
The closer the actual
state, the lesser
the gap
31. Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Corrective
Action
Actual B
S
O
S
Delay
S
This archetype explains the system in which the response to action is delayed.
GAP
Desired Level More aggressive
corrective action
32. Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Corrective
Action
Actual B
S
O
S
Delay
S
This archetype explains the system in which the response to action is delayed.
-ve
GAP
Desired Level
33. Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Corrective
Action
Actual B
S
O
S
Delay
S
This archetype explains the system in which the response to action is delayed.
Desired Level
Be patient
GAP
34. Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Corrective
Action
Actual B
S
O
S
Delay
S
This archetype explains the system in which the response to action is delayed.
Desired Level
Improve system
response
GAP
35. Project Delay – Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Project
Delay
Sick
Leave
Hire New
Staff
S
S
Delay
Overtime
Delay
O
S
O
S
Why is there delay
in reducing the
project delay after
adding new staff?
36. Project Delay – Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Project
Delay
Sick
Leave
Hire New
Staff
S
S
Delay
Overtime
Delay
O
S
O
S
Disruption
to current
team
37. Project Delay – Balancing Process with Delay
#ISSLearningFest
Project
Delay
Sick
Leave
Hire New
Staff
S
S
Delay
Overtime
Delay
O
S
O
S
Inexperience Engagement Mastery
LEARNING
TIME
Take time
to get up
to speed
38. Having a bad headache
and want to see a doctor
Hospital
#ISSLearningFest
Tom
47. Project Delay – Shifting the Burden
#ISSLearningFest
Project
Delay
Sick
Leave
Hire New
Staff
S
S
Delay
Overtime
Delay
O
S
O
S
Outsource to
Company A
S
O
Reliance on
Company A
O S
Is this a good or bad strategy?
49. Drifting Goals aka Boiled Frog syndrome
#ISSLearningFest
Goal B2
O
S
Pressure to
Lower Goal
GAP
S
Corrective
Action
Actual B1
S
O
S
Delay
This archetype
describes a situation
where a gap between
the goal and current
reality can be resolved
by taking corrective
action or lowering the
goal. The latter will
eventually lead to
deterioration of long-
term goals.
50. Drifting Goals aka Boiled Frog syndrome
Goal B2
O
S
Pressure to
Lower Goal
GAP
S
Corrective
Action
Actual B1
S
O
S
Delay
This archetype
describes a situation
where a gap between
the goal and current
reality can be resolved
by taking corrective
action or lowering the
goal. The latter will
eventually lead to
deterioration of long-
term goals.
Huge gap
Jump out
Small gap
Slowly adapt to the gradual
increase in temperature
Perceived body
temperature
drift higher
#ISSLearningFest
51. Drifting Goals aka Boiled Frog syndrome
Goal B2
O
S
Pressure to
Lower Goal
GAP
S
Corrective
Action
Actual B1
S
O
S
Delay
This archetype
describes a situation
where a gap between
the goal and current
reality can be resolved
by taking corrective
action or lowering the
goal. The latter will
eventually lead to
deterioration of long-
term goals.
#ISSLearningFest
Disconnect the pressure
to lower goal
52. Project Delay – Drifting Goals
#ISSLearningFest
Project
Delay
Sick
Leave
Hire New
Staff
S
S
Delay
Overtime
Delay
O
S
O
S
Outsource to
Company A
S
O
Reliance on
Company A
O S
Pressure to
lower quality
Quality
Goal
S
O
Debts incurred, hurts
even more in the long run
60. Success to the Successfully
#ISSLearningFest
This archetype describes the outcome of a situation is highly dependent on
the initial conditions and whether they favor one party or the other.
Success of A
R2
O S
Allocation to A
Instead of B
S
R1
S O
S
Resources to A
Success of B
Resources to B Balance the
distribution of
resources
61. Success to the Successfully
#ISSLearningFest
This archetype describes the outcome of a situation is highly dependent on
the initial conditions and whether they favor one party or the other.
Success of A
R2
O S
Allocation to A
Instead of B
S
R1
S O
S
Resources to A
Success of B
Resources to B
Competitors
Collaborators
62. Summary
Understanding problems in Complex Context
#ISSLearningFest
Success to
the
Successful
Fixes
that fail
Balancing
process
with delay
Shifting
the
burden
Drifting
goals
