Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers

✍ Scribed by Sheryl Cababa

• Publisher: Rosenfeld Media
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 280
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

As design continues to impact our products, services, and solutions at scale, it is more important than ever to understand the systems and context that surround design decisions. Closing the Loop will help you make the invisible visible. It will introduce you to a powerful systems thinking mindset, and provide you with the tools and frameworks to define the systems that surround your work.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
How to Use This Book
Frequently Asked Questions
Foreword
Introduction
CHAPTER 1 The Shortcomings of User-Centered Design

The Beginnings of User-Centered Design
Users Are Not Just Users
User-Centered Harm and the Limited Impact of Design
UCD and Outside Forces
A Change in Perspective: Systems Thinking
Takeaways

CHAPTER 2 A Systems-Thinking Mindset

A Real-World Case
The Benefits of Systems Thinking
Three Concepts of Systems Thinking
How to Engage in Systems Thinking
Takeaways

CHAPTER 3 Systems Thinking and Design Thinking

Beyond User-Centeredness
Combining Systems Thinking with Design
Addressing the Flaws of Design Thinking
Design as Facilitation
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Nicole Sarsfield

CHAPTER 4 Collecting Your Data

The Purpose of Your Systems-Thinking Research
Types of Data Collection
The Data Collection Process
Creating a Research Protocol for Engaging with System Stakeholders
Conducting Your System Stakeholder Interviews
Subject Matter Expert (SME) Workshop
Analysis and Synthesis
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Shree Lakshmi Rao

CHAPTER 5 Synthesis and Mapping Stakeholders

The Synthesis Process
Stakeholder Mapping
Understanding Bounded Rationality
Comparative Stakeholder Mapping
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon

CHAPTER 6 Mapping Forces

Forces and Events
Creating a Causal Loop Map
Deep Structure, Root Cause, and the Goal of a System
Identifying System Archetypes
Other Types of Systems Maps
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Boon Yew Chew

CHAPTER 7 Creating a Theory of Change

Identifying Interventions
Defining a Theory of Change
Mapping Initiatives and Interventions
Framework 1: Outcomes Mapping
Framework 2: From Input to Impact
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Dr. Behnosh Najafi

CHAPTER 8 Anticipating Unintended Consequences

Techno-Optimism and the Law of Unintended Consequences
How Merton’s Framework Affects the Designer’s Work
Creating Dialogue About Unintended Consequences
Prompts That Broaden Perspectives
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Dr. Dimeji Onafuwa

CHAPTER 9 Speculative Design Futures

What Is Speculative Design?
Examples and Forms of Speculative Design
Who Is Engaging in Speculative Design?
The Benefits of Imagining
Takeaways
Expert Opinion: Adrienne Matthews

Coda
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Footnotes

✦ Subjects

Systems Thinking; Design Thinking; Product Design; User-Centered Design