Systems thinking

Understand how parts of a situation depend on one another and how changes can have wider effects.

Why it matters

An action in one part of a situation can affect other people, processes or places. Seeing those links helps you consider wider effects rather than treating each part as if it stood alone.

What this can look like

• identifies how people, resources or processes depend on one another
• explains how changing one part of a situation could affect another
• traces how an immediate change could lead to further effects over time

Youth relevance

Decisions about shared spaces, transport or resources can affect who takes part in a youth or community project. Exploring these connections helps young people consider how a change in one area could affect another.

Ways young people can practise this skill

• explore how people, resources and decisions are connected in a group project
• consider how a proposed community change could affect other people or services
• trace how a decision about shared resources could have further effects over time

Connected themes

• Main theme · Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Participation & citizenship