LIBRARY
GLO 410: Systems Thinking: Chapter 19: Critical Systems Heuristics
Critical Systems Heuristics
"He argued that our choice of what lies inside a system is essentially an ethical decision. By choosing what lies inside a system, you implicitly or even explicitly marginalize what lies outside the system. Thus Critical Systems is essentially about boundaries. Churchman argued that your choice of what lies inside a system's boundaries depends on your perspective or more deeply your values. If these choices are not reflected upon, they may well result in exacerbating the very problem you are seeking to address. Indeed, it may well cause you to frame the problem in unhelpful ways. Churchman developed methods of identifying these boundaries so that further viewpoints could be identified, addressed, and brought into the analysis."-Systems Concepts in Action, Chapter 19
eBooks/ Articles
- Evaluation based on critical systems heuristics
Reynold, Martin. 2007. A useful, thorough guide about CSH. Provides sample case studies and models. - The fifth discipline : the art and practice of the learning organization
Senge, Peter M. 2006. Print. Call number: HD58.9 .S46 2006. This revised edition of Peter Senge's bestselling classic, The Fifth Discipline, is based on fifteen years of experience in putting the book's ideas into practice. - A Primer to Critical Systems Heuristics for Action Researchers
Ulrich, Werner. 1996. This paper aims to "develop[] and pragmati[se] Critical Heuristics towards conveying its ideas and practical possibilities to ordinary people. - Systems approaches to management
Jackson, Michael C. 2000. Offers a guide to the application of CSH to management. - A Brief Introduction to Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)
Ulrich. 2005. A brief guide to CSH from the founder of the model itself.
Web Resources
- Australian National University
Australian National University offers this shis short, sweet overview to CHS. - Werner Ulrich's Home Page
In this site, I offer materials related to my current academic work, which centers on the philosophy and methodology of reflective professional practice and research.
Examples/ Case Studies
- Getting a grip: Critical systems for corporate responsibility
Reynolds, Martin. 1991. "The paper examines one particularly significant systems tool for addressing CSR [(corporate social responsibility)] dilemmas—critical systems heuristics (CSH)." - Using Critical Systems Heuristics to Guide Second-Order Critique of Systemic Practice: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Mining Operations in Southern Peru
Diane Hart Affiliation. March/April 2014. "A framework based on Ulrich's critical systems heuristics (CSH) is presented to organize second-order critical inquiry in systems practice and action research."