Taming Complex Systems & Wicked Problems
There is no practitioner in business, industry, or government who does not have to deal with broken, botched, or bewildering systems on a daily basis. Departments, organizations, projects, teams, and enterprises are all systems. In a nutshell, Systems Thinking provides an alternative way to see, interpret, make sense, and respond to our systems (for example organizations, projects, departments, networks, strategic initiatives) and their 'wicked' problems (for example cost overruns, schedule overruns, missed performance targets, divergent stakeholders, conflicts).
As a result of this workshop, participants will be better equipped to: (1) identify and understand the hidden sources of disappointing system performance, and (2) apply a powerful set of concepts and practical tools to engage 'difficult' performance issues to avoid or lessen impacts of 'deep system' failure modes. The workshop is conducted as a hands-on experience with practical applications, examples, and demonstration of systems thinking in action. The workshop develops an alternative way to see, interpret, make sense, and respond to our systems and their 'wicked' problems.
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Watch Now
Check out this brief Systems Thinking Seminar overview video clip!
Why Choose ODU Systems Thinking Course?
You will explore the competency of systems thinking, including the nature and implications for keeping a system afloat. Learn why everyone is not necessarily a systems thinker and what managers might do to elevate systems thinking capacity of their workforce for dealing with complex problems and turbulent environments.
The course is taught by Dr. Chuck Keating and Dr. Jim Pyne, both have substantial practical experience, training, research, and education in Systems Thinking.
This course is targeted for professionals who are challenged to deal with complex systems (such as projects, departments, organizations, processes) and their inevitable ‘wicked problems’. The emphasis is on introducing concepts, tools, and hands-on practice that can be immediately applied to improve our prospects for better understanding and ‘taming’ complex systems and their problems.
You will explore the competency of systems thinking, including the nature and implications for keeping a system afloat. Learn why everyone is not necessarily a systems thinker and what managers might do to elevate systems thinking capacity of their workforce for dealing with complex problems and turbulent environments.
The course is taught by Dr. Chuck Keating and Dr. Jim Pyne, both have substantial practical experience, training, research, and education in Systems Thinking.
This course is targeted for professionals who are challenged to deal with complex systems (such as projects, departments, organizations, processes) and their inevitable ‘wicked problems’. The emphasis is on introducing concepts, tools, and hands-on practice that can be immediately applied to improve our prospects for better understanding and ‘taming’ complex systems and their problems.
Join Our Next Class – Spring 2024
In Person Seminar
Funding Options
ODU's helpful staff can assist you in determining if you might qualify for any number of various funding options that could assist you with non-credit continuing educational opportunities to improve your marketability and advance your career.
Refund Policy
To withdraw from the Systems Thinking Course, you must send a request in writing to cepd@odu.edu (7) days prior the start date of the course. Failure to attend a course does not constitute withdrawal. Course registration fees, less a $100.00 processing fee will be refunded back to your original form of payment. There are no refunds once the class has begun. Late withdrawals of six (6) days or less before the class begins, will result in the student being charged the $100.00 processing fee, as well as charges for books and/or other course material fees.