Leveraging change in complex systems requires a strategic approach. Donella Meadows, a prominent environmental scientist, proposed 12 leverage points that can be utilised to effect change. The leverage points, listed in increasing order of effectiveness, are as follows:
1. Constants, parameters, and numbers: Changing physical, economic, and social parameters can have an impact, but it’s often limited.
2. Regulating negative feedback loops: These help systems self-correct, and altering them can bring about change.
3. Driving positive feedback loops: These can lead to exponential growth or decline, making them powerful tools.
4. System structure: Changing system structure can transform outputs drastically.
5. Goals of the system: Altering goals can create new system behaviours.
6. Information flow: Changing who has access to information can significantly influence system dynamics.
7. System rules: Changing rules can transform a system, but it’s often difficult to achieve.
8. Power to add, change, evolve, or self-organise system structure: This is the essence of life, and it’s very powerful.
9. Goals of the system: Changing the mindset or paradigm out of which the system arises can create powerful shifts.
10. Power to transcend paradigms: This is the highest leverage point, but it’s also the most difficult to use.
These leverage points provide a roadmap for bringing about meaningful change in complex systems. They highlight the importance of strategic thinking and the power of small changes to create large impacts.
Go to source article: http://intenseminimalism.com/2015/12-leverage-points-to-bring-change-to-a-complex-system/