Who Is It For?
- Senior leaders and managers dealing with complex, cross-functional challenges
- Operations and improvement teams tackling recurring problems
- Strategy and transformation leads designing organisational change
- L&D professionals wanting to understand systemic learning needs
- Anyone preparing for a Systems Thinking Practitioner apprenticeship (Level 7)
Workshop Structure
| Format | Full-day (6 hours) interactive workshop |
| Delivery | Face-to-face on-site or virtual via Teams/Zoom |
| Group Size | Up to 20 delegates per session |
| Approach | Facilitated exercises, causal loop mapping, case studies, and group problem-solving |
| Tailoring | Bespoke — exercises built around your organisation’s real challenges |
Topics Covered
- What is systems thinking? — moving from linear to circular cause-and-effect
- Feedback loops — reinforcing and balancing loops, delays, and emergent behaviour
- Causal loop diagrams — mapping the dynamics of a real organisational challenge
- System archetypes — recognising common patterns (fixes that fail, shifting the burden, tragedy of the commons)
- Leverage points — finding where small changes produce the biggest impact
- Unintended consequences — why good decisions sometimes make things worse
- Applying systems thinking — practical application to strategy, improvement, and decision-making
What’s Included
- Bespoke workshop design using your organisation’s real challenges
- Systems thinking toolkit — frameworks, templates, and reference guides
- Causal loop diagram mapping exercise (delegates keep their outputs)
- System archetypes quick-reference card
- Recommended reading list and further learning resources
- Certificate of completion for all delegates
- 30-day post-workshop email support
Benefits
For Your Organisation
- Better strategic decision-making at leadership level
- Reduced “firefighting” through root-cause understanding
- More effective cross-functional problem solving
- Improved change management and transformation outcomes
- A common language for discussing complex challenges
For the Individual
- A powerful new lens for understanding organisational dynamics
- Practical tools for mapping and analysing complex problems
- Ability to identify leverage points for maximum impact
- Preparation for Systems Thinking Practitioner L7 apprenticeship
- Enhanced strategic thinking and leadership credibility
Why TESS?
- Accessible, not academic: Designed for practical leaders, not theorists
- Your problems, not textbooks: Every exercise uses real challenges from your organisation
- Apprenticeship pathway: Natural stepping stone to the L7 Systems Thinking Practitioner
- Proven with complex organisations: Delivered to councils, NHS trusts, and multi-site operations