Systems Thinking and Design Thinking: The Search for Principles in the World We Are Making

While the concept of system has been part of design theory and practice from the beginning of the discipline, there is renewed interest today in the relationship of systems thinking and design. After reviewing the sources of ambiguity in the commonplace definition of the concept, we can identify four distinctly different interpretations of what a system is, how it operates, and the common purposes that the systems may serve. This leads to a consideration of the value and limitations of systems thinking and systems analysis for design. Systems analysis provides no clear identification of the problems that designers may address. Instead, design turns away from the complexity of situations and surroundings and toward the obstacles and problems faced by human beings in concrete situations, creating environments that may support and improve the quality of human experience. Design is the transformation of surroundings into environments for human experience. We have reached a point where it is important to begin a discussion about the principles of design and the environments that we seek to create.