7 Books to Boost your Systems Thinking Competency

“The capacity to learn is a gift;
The ability to learn is a skill;
The willingness to learn is a choice.”

— Brian Herbert

Convinced of the true merits and unique capabilities of Systems Thinking to resolve complex issues, seize new opportunities and validate strategic decisions, you seek to further your knowledge about it and learn how to put it in practice.

Now, if you are not yet very knowledgeable about Systems Thinking nor yet an advanced practitioner, you may wonder what could be your fastest and most effective way to learn it? Indeed, I am often asked by my executive MBA students and consulting clients, where they should start and how they could quickly and practically develop their Systems Thinking competencies.

Hence, to facilitate and accelerate the development of your knowledge and competence on Systems Thinking, you will find below 7 handpicked books among a comprehensive bibliography published at the end of this article. They are prioritized as a progressive reading path to chart your learning journey.

I hope you’ll really enjoy reading them as much as I did and wish you to benefit from them to the fullest extent.

Introductory works to gain fundamental awareness

Sherwood, D. (2002). Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager’s Guide to Applying Systems Thinking. Nicholas Brealey, London.

A very didactic book, written by a seasoned management consultant, who found a progressive way to introduce Systems Thinking and grow your understanding. By far, my 8favorites one when it comes to discover it and raise your appetite on the subject…

Ballé, M. (1994). Managing with Systems Thinking: Making Dynamics Work for You in Business Decision Making. McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead, England.

A very good explanation of Systems Thinking’s principles, modeling, and analysis with a seven-step approach. Easy to read, with practical insights and relevant business examples. Written more than two decades ago, but has not taken any wrinkles!

Intermediate works to perform practical applications

Schaveling, J., Bryan, B. (2018). Making Better Decisions Using Systems Thinking: How to stop firefighting, deal with root causes and deliver permanent solutions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, Switzerland. 

A thought-provoking book on how to devise effective and durable solutions through Systems Thinking. An advocacy to stop focusing on the symptoms and an encouragement to address the underlying causes of recurring problems, supported by the methods and tools to perform it.

Maani, K. E. (2016). Multi-Stakeholder Decision Making for Complex Problems: A Systems Thinking Approach with Cases. World Scientific Pub Co., Singapore.

A straightforward and easy to understand explanation of the Systems Thinking approach. It provides a practical explanation of how to leverage it in order to address the complex challenges we face nowadays in our rapidly evolving, global, and interconnected business environment and society.

Advanced works to deepen knowledge and skills

Morecroft, J. D. W. (2007). Strategic Modelling and Business Dynamics: A Feedback Systems Approach. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

A must-read book that explains the core stages of modeling from time charts analysis to causal loop drawings onto system dynamics simulations. It provides a wide range of in-depth practical examples, that illustrate the real dynamics commonly encountered in business strategy and operations, as well as in public policies.

Maani, K. E., Cavana, R. Y. (2007). Systems Thinking, System Dynamics: Managing Change and Complexity. Pearson Education, Auckland, New Zealand.

A thorough explanation of the principles, approach, and tools of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics, and their various applications, which are illustrated through numerous examples, mini-cases, as well as real-life case studies. It describes five distinct but interrelated phases: problem structuring, causal loop modeling, dynamic modeling, scenario planning, and modeling, and implementation and organizational learning.

Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World. McGraw-Hill, Chicago. 

Last, but not least, a widely acclaimed book, considered as an authoritative and reference work on Systems Thinking and System Dynamics. It provides a wealth of insights, guidelines, and explanations, with an emphasis on business and public strategies and policy applications. It might take some time and effort to go around it and fully assimilate it, but it is definitively worth the investment.

Special praise goes to Dennis Sherwood, Michael Ballé, Jaap Schaveling, Kambiz Maani, Bob Cavana, John Morecroft, and John Sterman for these outstanding works and recognized contributions to this field.

Bibliography

The books are sorted below by year of publication in 6 categories: Systems Thinking in itself and 5 specific areas, System Dynamics, Interpretive Systems Thinking, Critical Systems Thinking, Management Cybernetics, and General Systems Theory.

Systems Thinking

Churchman, C. W. (1968). The Systems Approach. Delacorte Press, New York.

Kauffman, D. L. (1980). Systems One: An Introduction to Systems Thinking. Future Systems Inc., Minneapolis.

Ackoff, R. L. (1987). The Art of Problem Solving: Accompanied by Ackoff’s Fables. Wiley, New York.

Flood, R. L., Jackson, M. C. (1991). Creative Problem Solving: Total Systems Intervention. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Jackson, M. C. (1991). Systems Methodology for the Management Sciences. Springer, New York.

Ballé, M. (1994). Managing with Systems Thinking: Making Dynamics Work for You in Business Decision Making. McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead.

McCaughan, N., Palmer, B. (1994). Systems Thinking for Harassed Managers. Karnac Books, London.

Senge, P. M., Roberts, C., Ross, R. B., Smith, B. J., Kleiner, A. (eds.) (1994). The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization. CurrencyDoubleday, New York.

Waring, A. (1996). Practical Systems Thinking. Cengage Learning, Hampshire.

O’Connor, J., McDermott, L. (1997). The Art of Systems Thinking: Essential Skills for Creativity and Problem Solving. Thorsons, London.

Mitroff, I. I., (1998). Smart Thinking for Crazy Times: the Art of Solving the Right Problems. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco, California.

Flood, R. L. (1999). Rethinking the Fifth Discipline: Learning Within the Unknowable. Routledge, London.

Senge, P. M., Roth, G. (1999). The Dance of Change: The challenges to sustaining momentum in a learning organization. CurrencyDoubleday, New York.

Haines, S. G. (2000). The Systems Thinking Approach to Strategic Planning and Management. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

Jackson, M. C. (2000). Systems Approaches to Management. Kluwer Academic/Plenum, New York.

Stacey, R. D., Griffin, D., Shaw, P. (2000). Complexity and Management: Fad or Radical Challenge to systems thinking. Routledge, London.

Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World. McGraw-Hill, Chicago.

Sherwood, D. (2002). Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager’s Guide to Applying Systems Thinking. Nicholas Brealey, London.

Gall, J. (2003). The Systems Bible: The Beginner’s Guide to Systems Large and Small: Being the Third Edition of Systemantics. The General Systemantics Press, Walker, MN.

Jackson, M. C. (2003). Systems Thinking: Creative Holism for Managers. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Pidd, M. (2003). Tools for Thinking: Modelling in Management Science(2nd ed.). Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Haines, S., G., Aller-Stead, G., McKinlay, J. (2005). Enterprise-Wide Change: Superior Results Through Systems Thinking. Willey, San Francisco.

Senge, P. M. (2006). The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization. CurrencyDoubleday, New York.

Haines, S. G. (2007). Strategic and Systems Thinking: The Winning Formula. Systems Thinking Press, San Diego, California.

Maani, K. E., Cavana, R. Y. (2007). Systems Thinking, System Dynamics: Managing Change and Complexity. Pearson Education, Auckland, New Zealand.

Morecroft, J. D. W. (2007). Strategic Modelling and Business Dynamics: A Feedback Systems Approach. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Meadows, D. (2008). Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont.

Hürlimann, M. (2009). Dealing with real-world complexity: Limits, enhancements and new approaches for policy makers. Betriebswirtschaftlicher Verlag Gabler, Wiesbaden.

Mitroff, I. I., Silvers, A. (2009). Dirty Rotten Strategies: How We Trick Ourselves and Others into Solving the Wrong Problems Precisely. Stanford Business Books, Stanford, California.

Ackoff, R. L. (2010). Systems Thinking for Curious Managers: With 40 New Management f-Law. Triarchy Press, Axminster.

Lawson, H. (2010). A Journey Through the Systems Landscape. College Publications, Kings College, London.

Reynolds, M., Holwell, S. (2010). Systems Approaches to Managing Change: A Practical Guide. Springer, London.

Shapiro, A., Zigarmi P., (2010). Creating Contagious Commitment: Applying the Tipping Point to Organizational Change (2nd ed.). Strategy Perspective, Hillsborough, NC.

Williams, B., Hummelbrunner, R. (2011). Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner’s Toolkit. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.

Gharajedaghi, J. (2011). Systems Thinking, Second Edition: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture. Butterworth-Heinemann, Burlington, Massachusetts.

Haines, S. G. (2011). Systems Thinking: The New Frontier: Discovering Simplicity in an Age of Complexity. Systems Thinking Press, San Diego, California.

Mella, P. (2012). Systems Thinking: Intelligence in Action. Springer, New York.

Stacey, R. (2012). Tools and Techniques of Leadership and Management: Meeting the Challenge of Complexity. Routledge, London.

Vester, F. (2012). The Art of Interconnected Thinking: Ideas and Tools for a New Approach to Tackling Complexity. MCB-Verlag, Munich, Germany.

Hester, P. T. Adams, K. (2014). Systemic Thinking. Fundamentals for Understanding Problems and Messes. Springer, Cham, Switzerland.

Mingers, J. (2014). Systems Thinking, Critical Realism and Philosophy: A Confluence of Ideas. Ontological Explorations. Routledge, London.

Cabrera, D., Cabrera, J. (2015). Systems Thinking Made Simple: New Hope for Solving Wicked Problems. Odyssean, Ithaca, New York.

Stroh, D. P. (2015). Systems Thinking for Social Change: A Practical Guide to Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results. Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont.

Maani, K. E. (2016). Multi-Stakeholder Decision Making for Complex Problems: A Systems Thinking Approach with Cases. World Scientific Pub Co., Singapore.

Mella, P. (2016). The Magic Ring: Systems Thinking Approach to Control Systems. Springer, New York.

Stacey, R. D., Mowles, C. (2016). Strategic Management and Organisational Dynamics: The Challenge of Complexity to Ways of Thinking about Organisations. Pearson, Harlow, Essex, England.

Schaveling, J., Bryan, B. (2018). Making Better Decisions Using Systems Thinking: How to stop firefighting, deal with root causes and deliver permanent solutions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, Switzerland.

System Dynamics

Forrester, J. W. (1961). Industrial Dynamics. Productivity Press, Cambridge.

Forrester, J. W. (1968). Principles of systems. Productivity Press, Cambridge.

Goodman, M. R. (1974). Study Notes in System Dynamics, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Meadows, D. H., Meadows, D. L., Randers, J., Behrens III, W. W. (1974). The Limits to Growth. Universe Books, New York.

Forrester, J. W. (1975). Collected Papers of Jay W. Forrester. Productivity Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Mass, N. J. (1975). Economic Cycles: An Analysis of Underlying Causes. Productivity Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Coyle, R. G. (1977). Management system dynamics.Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Roberts, E. B. (1978). Managerial Applications of System Dynamics. Productivity Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Randers, J. (Ed.) (1980). Elements of the System Dynamics Method. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Richardson, G. P., Pugh III, A. L. (1981). Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling with Dynamo. Pegasus Communications, Waltham, Massachusetts.

Lyneis, J. M. (1981). Corporate Planning and Policy Design: A System Dynamics Approach. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Roberts, N., Andersen, D. F., Deal, R. M., Grant, M. S., Shaffer, W. A. (1983). Introduction to Computer Simulation: A System Dynamics Modeling Approach. Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts.

Meadows, D. H., Robinson, J. M. (1985). The Electronic Oracle: Computer Models and Social Decisions, Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Wolstenholme, E. F. (1990). System Enquiry: A System Dynamics Approach. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Sushil. (1993). System dynamics: a practical approach for managerial problems. Wiley Eastern Ltd., New Delhi.

Roberts, N., Andersen, D. F., Deal, R. M., Shaffer, W. A. (1994). Introduction to Computer Simulation: A System Dynamics Modeling Approach. Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts.

Few, A. A. (1996). System Behavior and System Modeling. University Science Books, Sausalito, California.

Coyle, R. G. (1996). System Dynamics Modelling: A Practical Approach for Managerial Problems. Chapman & Hall/CRC Press, New York.

Richardson, G. P. (1996). Modelling for Management:Simulation in Support of Systems Thinking. The International Library of Management, Dartmouth Publishing Company, Aldershot, U.K.

Bar-Yam, Y. (1999). Dynamics of Complex Systems. Perseus Books, Reading, Massachusetts.

Richardson, G. P. (1999). Feedback Thought in Social Science and Systems Theory, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia.

Hannon, B., Ruth, M. (2001). Dynamic Modeling (2nd Ed.). Springer, New York.

Warren, K. (2002). Competitive Strategy Dynamics. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Meadows, D. H., Randers, J. (2004). Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update. Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont.

Richmond, B. (2004). An Introduction to Systems Thinking with STELLA. ISEE systems, Lebanon, New Hampshire.

McGarvey, B., Hannon, B. (2004). Dynamic Modeling for Business Management: An Introduction. Springer, New York.

Fisher, D. (2006). Lessons in Mathematics A Dynamic Approach Teacher’s Guide. ISEE systems, Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Snabe, B. (2007). The Usage of System Dynamics in Organizational Interventions: A Participative Modeling Approach Supporting Change Management Efforts. Wiesbaden, Deutscher Universitätsverlag.

Warren, K. (2008). Strategic Management Dynamics. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Fisher, D. (2011). Modeling Dynamic Systems: Lessons for a First Course. ISEE systems, Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Ruth, M., Hannon, B. (2012). Modeling Dynamic Economic Systems (2nd Ed.). Springer, New York.

Rahmandad, H., Oliva, R., Osgood, N. D., Richardson, G. P. (2015). Analytical methods for dynamics modelers, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ghosh, A. (2017). Dynamic Systems for Everyone: Understanding How our world works. Springer.

Bala, B. K., Arshad, F. M., Noh, K. M. (2017). System Dynamics: Modelling and Simulation. Springer, Singapore.

Martin Garcia, J. (2017). Theory and practical exercises of system dynamics (4th ed.). Juan Martin Garcia.

Interpretive Systems Thinking

Churchman, C. W. (1971). The Design of Inquiring Systems: basic concepts of systems and organization. Basic Books, New York.

Ackoff, R. L. (1974). Redesigning the future: A systems approach to societal problems. Wiley, New York.

Churchman, C. W. (1979). The Systems Approach and its Enemies. Basic Books, New York.

Ackoff, R. L.(1981). Creating the Corporate Future. Wiley, New York.

Mason, R. O., Mitroff, I. I., (1981). Challenging Strategic Planning Assumptions: Theory, Cases and Techniques. Wiley, New York.

Churchman, C. W. (1982). Thought & Wisdom. Intersystems Publications, California.

Wilson, B. (1991). Systems: Concepts, Methodologies and Applications (2nd ed.). Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Ackoff, R. L. (1999). Re-Creating the Corporation: A Design of Organizations for the 21st Century. Oxford University Press, New York.

Checkland, P., Scholes, J. (1999). Soft Systems Methodology in Action. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Checkland, P. (1999). Systems Thinking, Systems Practice: Includes a 30-Year Retrospective. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Eden, C. L., Ackermann F. (2001). SODA: the principles. In J. V. Rosenhead and J. Mingers (Eds.). Rational Analysis for a Problematic World Revisited. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, United Kingdom.

Bryson, J. M., Ackermann, F., Eden, C., Finn, C. B. (2004). Visible thinking: Unlocking causal mapping for practical business results. Hoboken, Wiley, New-York.

Ackermann, F., Eden, C., Brown, I. (2005). The Practice of Making Strategy. Sage, London.

Checkland, P., Poulter, J. (2007). Learning For Action: A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology, and its use for Practitioners, Teachers and Students. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Boardman, J., Sauser, B. (2008). Systems Thinking: Coping with 21st Century Problems. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

Ackermann, F., Eden, C. (2011). Making Strategy: Mapping Out Strategic Success. Thousand Oaks, Sage, California.

Boardman, J., Sauser, B. (2013). Systemic Thinking: Building Maps for Worlds of Systems. Wiley, Hoboken, New York.

Bryson, J. M., Ackerman, F., Eden, C. (2014). Visual Strategy: Strategy Mapping for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, New York.

Wilson, B., van Haperen, K. (2015). Soft Systems Thinking, Methodology and the Management of Change. Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Critical Systems Thinking

Ulrich, W. (1983). Critical heuristics of social planning: A new approach to practical philosophy. Paul Haupt, Berne.

Flood, R. L. (1990). Liberating Systems Theory. Springer, New York.

Flood, R. L., Jackson, M. C. (1996). Critical Systems Thinking: Current Research and Practice. J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester, New York.

Midgley, G. (2000). Systemic intervention: Philosophy, methodology, and practice. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York.

Ulrich, W. (2002a). Critical systems heuristics. In H. G. Daellenbach and R. L. Flood (Eds.), The Informed Student Guide to Management Science. Thomson Learning, London.

Ulrich, W. (2002b). Boundary critique. In H. G. Daellenbach and R. L. Flood (Eds.), The Informed Student Guide to Management Science. Thomson Learning, London.

Barabba, V. P., Mitroff, I. I. (2014). Business strategies for a messy world: tools for systemic problem solving. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.

Management Cybernetics

Ashby, W. R. (1956). An Introduction to Cybernetics. Chapman & Hall, London.

Wiener, N. (1965). Cybernetics: Or the Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine. MIT Press, Cambridge.

Beer, S. (1972). Brain of the Firm. Allen Lane, The Penguin Press, London, Herder and Herder, USA.

Beer, S. (1974). Decision and Control. Wiley, London and New York.

Beer, S. (1975). Platform for Change. Wiley, Chichester, New York.

Beer, S. (1979). The Heart of Enterprise. John Wiley, London and New York.

Beer, S. (1985). Diagnosing the System for Organizations. Wiley, London and New York.

Beer, S. (1986). Power, Autonomy, Utopia: New Approaches Toward Complex Systems. Plenum Press, New York.

Espejo, R. and Harnden, R. (1989). The Viable System Model: Interpretations and Applications of Stafford Beer’s VSM. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Christopher, W. F. (2007). Holistic Management. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Hoverstadt, P. (2008). The Fractal Organization: Creating sustainable organizations with the Viable System Model. Wiley, Chichester, Massachusetts.

Schwaninger, M. (2009). Intelligent Organizations: Powerful Models for Systemic Management. Springer, Berlin.

General Systems Theory

Von Bertalanffy, L. (1968). General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. George Braziller, New York.

Klir, G. J. (1969). An Approach to General Systems Theory. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.

Weinberg, G. M., (1975). An Introduction to General Systems Thinking. Wiley, New York.

Weinberg, G. M., Weinberg, D. (1980). On The Design Of Stable Systems. Wiley, New York.

Weinberg, G. M., Weinberg, D. (1988). General Principles of Systems Design. Dorset House, New York.

Hanson, B. G. (1995). General Systems Theory Beginning with Wholes: An Introduction to General Systems Theory. Taylor and Francis, Washington, DC.

Skyttner, L. (1996). General Systems Theory: An Introduction. Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Skyttner, L. (2001). General Systems Theory: Ideas & Applications. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore.

Lin, Y. (2002). General Systems Theory: A Mathematical Approach. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York.

Klir, G. J. (2005). Uncertainty and Information: Foundations of Generalized Information Theory. Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey.

Skyttner, L. (2005). General Systems Theory: Problems, Perspectives and Practice (2nd ed.). World Scientific Publishing, Singapore.