• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Systemic Intervention

Module description

This final taught module introduces apprentices to philosophical, theoretical and methodological pluralism in the context of designing and executing a systemic intervention. Pluralism is the subject matter of critical systems thinking and thus, main ideas from this school of thought will help structure the core content of the module. Apprentices will be exposed to different ways of mixing methods and will have the opportunity to plan and design an intervention that relies on multiple ideas and tools from systems thinking. Thus, the module will also present an opportunity to revise the key approaches taught on the programme while discussing flexibility in systems practice.

Module aims - intentions of the module

To consolidate existing knowledge of systemic approaches and to introduce multimethodology – the mixing of systemic methodologies and the creative design of method.

This module will present opportunities to build on knowledge dimensions K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5 of the Systems Thinking Practitioner Standard.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Evidence theoretical understanding of systemic intervention.
• 2. Evidence understanding of the different systemic approaches including methods and methodologies.
• 3. Compare between different systemic approaches and paradigms.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Design a project proposal using elements of at least two systemic approaches.
• 5. Analyse different systemic approaches and their applications.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Work collaboratively and to produce constructive feedback.
• 7. Critically engage with the taught material.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Philosophical, theoretical and methodological pluralism
• Systemic intervention theory
• Multimethodology (Mingers) and the System of Systems Methodologies (Jackson)
• Revision of key approaches

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Midgley, G. (2000). Systemic intervention. Boston, MA: Springer
• Mingers, J. (2006). Realising systems thinking: knowledge and action in management science. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Mingers, J. (2010). Multimethodology. Wiley Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science.

Key words search

Mixing methods, systems thinking, pluralism.