Systemic intervention methods supporting complex system governance initiatives

Abstract

Complex system governance (CSG) is an emerging field with potential to enhance capabilities for design, execution and evolution of complex systems. CSG offers a theoretically grounded, model informed and methodologically driven approach to more effectively deal with complex systems and their problems. However, initial CSG applications have identified multiple impediments to systemic intervention to deploy this new and novel field. In this paper we discuss a strategy to effectively deploy systemic intervention in support of CSG. Four primary objectives are pursued, including: 1) identification of three major forms of systemic intervention for complex systems in general; 2) presentation of a dynamic and tailored approach (CSG-Entry) to improve prospects for introductory systemic intervention for CSG; 3) results from an initial application of CSG-entry in a field setting; 4) suggestion of lessons learned from initial applications of CSG-Entry in relationship to systemic intervention. Two more methods that can be combined with CSG-Entry to generate sufficient information for planning a comprehensive systemic intervention. The paper concludes with examination of future development directions for systemic intervention to advance CSG performance.