Systems Strategy

Understanding and shifting complex systems requires more than quick fixes. Our approach to systems strategy help organisations see, understand, and think about what’s involved and what’s needed. We use applied systems thinking ('systems practice') and systems mapping to visualise complex systems. This helps organisations find and define challenges or needs, and identify what can and should change. Our approach emphasises collaboration and shared ownership, underpinned by capability building with clients and community.

Case studies

Curious what Systems Strategy can help you explore and solve? Below are some examples of our pioneering work applying systems strategies to complex contexts.

Developing a Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change

Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner

Addressing the complex issue of lawyer wellbeing through systems thinking and collaborative stakeholder engagement...

Learning Partnership for the Social Network Analysis Project

Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership

Mapping organisational relationships that support child wellbeing across Queensland through innovative Social Network Analysis...

Systemic Barriers and Enablers to the Repair of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Research Project

UK Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs

Understanding systemic factors influencing repair behaviour to reduce electronic waste through System Effects methodology...

Barriers and Enablers to Safe at Home

McAuley Community Services for Women

Applying systems thinking to address barriers hindering Safe at Home implementation for family violence survivors...

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Example Systems Model

This is a hypothetical interactive systems model showing the relationships between various factors influencing entrenched disadvantage in a fictional community.

Open Interactive Diagram

How to use:

• Click the button above to open the diagram in a full-screen view
• The diagram will automatically scale to fit your screen
• Click "Hide Info" to maximize the diagram space
• Click the X button or press ESC to close
• You can interact with the nodes and connections in the diagram

× Hide Info

Example Systems Model of Place-Based Disadvantage

About this Model

This is an example systems model demonstrating how place-based entrenched disadvantage operates within communities. The model maps out the complex interconnections between various factors that contribute to persistent disadvantage in specific geographic areas.

Place-based disadvantage refers to the concentration of social and economic challenges within particular neighborhoods or regions. This model illustrates how factors like low income, housing stress, limited transport access, and reduced educational opportunities create reinforcing feedback loops that can trap communities in cycles of disadvantage. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective interventions that address root causes rather than symptoms.

How to Interact

You can start the model by clicking on the up/down arrows next to any factor to see how the dynamics play out over time. Try clicking the 'up' or 'down' arrow on the Low income node, then observe which factors are stabilized or changing based on whether rates of low income are increasing or decreasing. The model will show you how changes ripple through the interconnected system.

Tip: Click the "Hide Info" button in the top-right corner to hide this information panel and maximize the diagram viewing area. You can click "Show Info" to bring it back at any time.

If you're currently monitoring, evaluating or planning for an evaluation please get in touch with our expert team to chat (with no obligation) about how we can help.