Systems Thinking | Advanced Practitioner Course
From the scale of individuals and teams, to the wider society and the environment, we’ll consider the interconnected nature of the challenges we face. This course will help you explore, understand and make meaningful changes within those complex systems. We’ll bring together System Dynamics, Soft Systems Methodology and Systems Practice to provide you ways of tackling different types of systems.
You’ll work in teams on a messy problem. Through guided exercises, you’ll gain clarity on the underlying structure before identifying how and where to act to improve the situation. Practical exercises are always backed up with theory, and there’s space for discussion and reflection. That means everyone will have a unique, personal experience on the course, depending on their own experience and needs.

Systems Thinking
If you’re working in product and service design, or wanting to create meaningful change in organisations and society, you’ll benefit from Systems Thinking. It’s the ability to see how systems around us interact and affect one other. If you have a better understanding of those connections, you can make sure your projects are more effective.
We are all instinctively aware of the complex systems around us and how they sometimes behave in unexpected ways. For example, reducing speed limits on roads can actually make traffic move faster. On the flipside though, unintended consequences of environmental initiatives can lead to unexpected side effects on a big scale, affecting the organisations we are part of, or even the whole planet. Systems Thinking can help explore and anticipate those consequences, helping reduce uncertainty and risk around your initiatives and innovations.
Length
3 live sessions - 2.5 hours each
09:30 - 12:00 GMT
Upcoming courses:
23, 25, 27 Jan
Online - Live sessions via Zoom & Mural
Max number of places – 18
Early bird price - 5 places left
£600 (+VAT if applicable)
Regular price
£750 (+VAT if applicable)

Course Prospectus
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Who's it for?
This course is for anyone who’s completed introductory training in Design Thinking, but now wants to add new methods and techniques.
Systems Thinking is a critical approach to understand the big picture. This course is therefore for anyone tackling complex challenges.
Systems Thinking also allows organisations to uncover new opportunities for driving innovation and change successfully, by understanding how things influence one another and how you can use those connections to your benefit.
Systems Thinking also helps decision-making, by providing an understanding of the implications of any change, whether it be big or small.
Discover how to apply the principles of Systems Thinking to your own area of expertise. It will enable you to better understand the context, opportunities, and implications of whatever you’re working on, and ultimately drive more impactful innovation and change. With personal coaching and feedback throughout, you’ll build your Systems Thinking knowledge and skills.
You’ll learn:
- How to explore complexity at different levels to understand the bigger picture, along with its underlying dynamics.
- How to work collaboratively to identify places to intervene and make improvements.
- What behaviours are common in complex systems and what patterns to look out for.
- Which mindsets and techniques work best in approaching systems work.
- How to use online platforms, such as Mural and Kumu, to support collaborative working across distributed teams.
Want to find out more about the course? Fill in the form below and we’ll get in touch:
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Day 1: Visualising systems to uncover the big picture
Learn how to visualise systems by bringing together diverse perspectives and making sense of complexity.
Frame new projects holistically and make sure that you can see the bigger picture, before you embark on new innovations or implementing changes.
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Day 2: Exploring and selecting options for systemic change
Explore relationships and dynamics to better understand how complex systems work.
Assess the consequences of different approaches to systemic change and learn how to make more informed decisions.
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Day 3: Taking targeted action for impact
Identify how and where to act in systems to make improvements, reduce risks and anticipate consequences.
Learn how to develop new projects, products, services, and initiatives with a clearer idea of their potential impact.
Length
3 live sessions - 2.5 hours each
09:30 - 12:00 GMT
Upcoming courses:
23, 25, 27 Jan
Online - Live sessions via Zoom & Mural
Max number of places – 18
Early bird price - 5 places left
£600 (+VAT if applicable)
Regular price
£750 (+VAT if applicable)
Q. Why Systems Thinking now?
A.
You may have come across terms like VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity), which seek to describe the current complexity in business.
In reality, we have always lived and worked within complex systems. And the tools for understanding and dealing with those systems are nothing new.
But right now, there is a real sense of urgency around how we might make impactful, meaningful change.
That’s why we’ve seen a dramatic growth in the application of systems thinking, as it can help make such change happen.
If we use it wisely, along with other approaches in the designers’ toolbox, we have the potential to be more effective and successful in how we tackle complex challenges.
Q. How will the online course be taught?
A.
Unlike many online courses out there, which are just self-paced tutorials, this is a live event.
It means our leading coaches will teach you directly, in real time, and, as a result of being able to interact with others, you’ll each have a unique experience on the course.
Q. How will I do the course online? What equipment do I need?
A.
Equipment: The only equipment you’ll need is a modern computer with a good connection to the internet (ideally through the Chrome browser), a microphone, a webcam and speakers or headphones.
Tools: Access is easy as we use industry standard web-based tools. We use Zoom for voice calls, with exercises taking place in Mural and Google Docs.
Q. How long will the course take?
A.
Time Commitment: 7.5 hours of live sessions with our coaches, spread over 3 bite-sized sessions of 2.5 hours.
After the first session, there will be self-directed project work, which can be completed within an hour.
Q. English isn’t my first language. Does that matter?
A.
People from all over the world will be taking part – in fact, this cultural mix is one of the real strengths of our courses! However, it is important to have good basic level of spoken English to get the most out of the experience.
Q. Do you offer concession prices for your sessions?
A.
We do offer concessions and a sliding scale of discounts on this course. Pay full price for the first space you book, 10% off the second and third, and 15% off every space you book after that. If you’re booking a lot of spaces, you may want to talk to us about tailoring a course especially for your business. Call us on +44 (0)7552 730 231 or email john@designthinkersacademy.co.uk to find out how we can help you.
Companies who have attended our Design Thinking courses










This Systems Thinking course has been the most engaging, informative, and reflective course online course I have had the
pleasure of being involved in.
Vanessa, Service Designer, NHS Education for Scotland
This is a brilliant productive week where we have witnessed ‘designing by doing’ and we leave this course with a feeling that we have given back ‘prototypes’ which are going to be used in real life.
Saravanan, Head of Market Delivery, VISA
The Design Thinkers Academy is all you need to start changing your company's design culture.
Miquel Mora, Technicolor
Team
Simon Gough
Service Designer & Coach
Design Thinkers Academy London
Susana Osório
Design Director
DTA London,
DK&A
Simon Gough
Service Designer & Coach
Design Thinkers Academy London
Susana Osório
Design Director
DTA London,
DK&A

THE SMALL PRINT
Discount
We offer a sliding scale of discounts on this course. Pay full price for the first space you book, 10% off the second and third, and 15% off every space you book after that.
If you’re booking a lot of spaces, you may want to talk to us about tailoring a course especially for your business.
Read our terms and conditions for booking here
NEED MORE HELP?
We’re here to help if you’d like to find out more. If you have a quick query then please click on the orange chat box on the right, and one of the team can answer your questions. Or use the options below.
Get in touch:
Call here: +44 (0)7552 730 231 | WhatsApp
info@designthinkersacademy.co.uk
Or fill out the form below:

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