Using systems thinking to accelerate change Ruth Rominger Garfield Foundation Palo Alto, July 17, 2013 Progress Designing and Evolving Collaborative Networks 1

Define the System Identify Success Strategies Actions Infrastructure, Tools Co-create a shared understanding of the system Set common goal, direction, principles Collaborate to align interventions Support accelerating success Assess, Capacities, Decisions, Learn, Taxonomy of a Systems Approach Garfield Foundation 2

Systems Understanding Network Design Chaos Theory Complexity Computer Systems Social Networks Collaborative Action Networks Organizations as Systems Ecosystems Learning Organizations Earth Systems Learning/Knowledge Networks Garfield Foundation 3

Purpose determines Structure Designing a Network for System Change 4

Increase Energy Efficiency Retire Existing Dirty Coal Mapping the Midwest Energy System Together Creating a shared understanding, audacious goal, and an insight… Stop New Dirty Coal Increase Clean Energy Generation 80% CO2 Reduction By

Clean Up Coal Increase Energy Efficiency Increase Clean Energy Stop New Dirty Coal Self-organized Working Groups to develop aligned strategies Shared Insight! Four leverage points need coordinated intervention in order to shift the energy system 6 Inspiring the Re-Amp Network structure

Steering Committee Communication Commons Communication Commons Media Center Learning & Progress Shared Assets Strategic Action Fund Support Action Learning Knowledge Management Learning & Progress 7

Stability just enough, need flexibility, randomness Connectivity many loops, open, transparent Diversity Distributed stronger, more creative together Information Flow allows for emergence Power Differentials control is in the way of change Minimum Specs no more than absolutely necessary Measurement of patterns and emergence Principles of Network Infrastructure Design Complex, fast-changing systems need adaptive structures that support rapid peer learning 8

Guiding Principles Democratic Governance Shared Story Working Groups Communications Action Learning Assessing Progress Sharing Resources Essential Characteristics for Success 9 Ruth Rominger Garfield Foundation