Zaid Khan, Samah Kamalmaz
Just because we can, should we? Even when systemic design helps us understand and develop potential interventions in highly-complex situations, should we feel confident about their impact? As systemic designers, we tend to view our theories of change or leverage points through an interventionist lens. But, perhaps it’s time for systemic design to re-appreciate the value, and wisdom, of non-intervention. Maybe systemic designers can question whether or not it is the right time and place for action, and to recognise that deliberate non-action has strategic value. This presentation outlines how systemic design can take a more humble posture when dealing with complex social systems. The presentation argues that a posture shift, from hubristic to humble, is required when working in the complexity of organisation Design (3.0) and social systems Design (4.0). This is especially important as systemic design is operating in an era characterised by crises. A humble posture is one that (i) emphasises a learning-orientation of systemic design, (ii) values non-intervention, (iii) and tames the expectations and scale of impact. To exercise this posture shift, three questions are offered that reflect on (a) the framing of urgent vs. important, (b) the speed and scale of change, depending on the phase of a living system, and (c) the propensity of a situation and when to take advantage of it. Together these benefits and exercises offer an initial vocabulary through which systemic design education and methods can tame the bias-for-action and approach complex social systems with the humility required.
Keywords: systemic design, humility, complexity, design critique