• Time: 12 hours
    Level: Introductory

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Introduction

  • Introduction Resource
  • Pictures speak louder than words. But how can you use diagrams to help you? This unit looks at how diagrams can be used to represent information and ideas about complex situations. You will learn how to...
  
 
 

1 How to use this unit

  • 1 How to use this unit Resource
  • This unit is a learning resource. Like all resources, there are different ways to use it depending upon what you are trying to achieve. Whatever you are trying to achieve it is important that you not only...
  
 
 

2 What is a diagram?

  • 2.1 Diagrams are all around us Resource
  • We all try to make sense of the world around us. This sense is displayed in two ways.
  • 2.2 Diagrams as models Resource
  • Diagrams come in many forms and uses, but for systems thinking and practice it is useful to think of them as models (meaning ?representations of reality? in everyday usage). The term ?model? is used in...
  • 2.3 Features of diagrams Resource
  • As there is variety in the types of diagrams we can see and use we need to think more broadly about what diagrams are trying to represent. One distinction which follows on from the discussion above is:...
  • 2.4 Structure and process Resource
  • Diagrams are normally intended to describe either structure or process and not both. Table 1 gives a classification of diagram types by structure or process. Another way to view this is to note that there...
  
 
 

3 Why do people use diagrams?

  
 
 

4 Why do systems thinkers use diagrams?

  • 4.1 Systems thinking and concept Resource
  • Much can be said about systems thinking. However it is worth reiterating some key points here as they are central to understanding the purpose of the diagrams discussed later in this section.
  • 4.2 Systems diagrams and diagrams helpful for systems work Resource
  • Diagrams are used extensively in systems thinking and practice. All of those types included in the animated tutorial, as well as other types not covered there, can or have been used in systems studies....
  • 4.3 Diagrams for understanding Resource
  • Diagrams for understanding are best developed within the creativity phase, though sometimes you can go straight on to using a diagram more suitable to the connectivity phase. Most diagrams for understanding...
  • 4.4 Diagrams for connectivity Resource
  • Relationship diagrams offer one way of putting more order into your understanding of a situation. Each element of a situation is named in an oval and lines between ovals indicate that there are...
  • 4.5 Diagrams for further analysis and quantitative model building Resource
  • To gain further understanding of the connectivity in a situation, a multiple cause diagram can be converted into a sign graph by indicating whether the cause has a positive effect or a negative...
  • 4.6 Diagrams for diagnosis Resource
  • As the detail of the connectivity revealed through a diagram increases, many diagrams can be used for diagnosis by comparing a diagram of what should be happening with what is happening. This approach...
  • 4.7 Diagrams for planning and implementation Resource
  • The first principle in planning is: be clear about your own direction and purpose ? in other words, your values and why you are doing anything. You can use the technique of asking why? And then why? of...
  • 4.8 Diagrams for communication Resource
  • Commonly used diagrams for communication follow conventions that are widely understood, many diagrams used for connectivity as previously discussed also lend themselves to use in communicating ideas. A...
  
 
 

References and Acknowledgements