Lecture portions on Complexity, the Idea of ‘Problem’, and on ‘Reflective Practice’ in Design…

This comes from a systemic design lecture I provide to various military PME programs in academic year 2022; select graphics and the ‘notes page’ that corresponds with roughly what I discuss are provided below. I will upload groups of slides and speaking points in upcoming Medium posts for subscribers and those that follow me on social media.

Slide pulled from upcoming systemic design lecture 2022 by Author (this one animates in the actual presentation)

The first bunch of slides and lecture notes posted are available here:

What is design and why might militaries require ‘systemic design’?

Humans conceptualize problems in four primary modes according to complexity theorist Russell Ackoff. These consist of problem absolution, problem solution, problem resolution, and problem dissolution.

“I know smoking is bad, but if I quit, I will gain weight. That is worse; so I smoke to avoid worse health issues.”

Problem absolution consists of ignoring a problem with the expectation that over time, it will fade away or otherwise not require any activity to address it. This non-action is itself an action in any…