Design Journeys through Complex Systems: Practice Tools for Systemic Design

Design Journeys through Complex Systems is the book we need today to learn how to use participatory methods in exploring ways to address complexity. The authors have done an excellent job of curating the tools, methods and theories from a wide range of domains and organizing the material in a way that is useful, not only for beginners but also for experienced practitioners of systemic design! What I found to be most impressive was the integration between theory and practice that this book has achieved.Design Journeys through Complex Systems introduces 30 systems methods, referred to as “tools”, for use across seven stages in a systems change project. Each tool is grounded in theory. In addition to explaining how to use each tool, the authors provide practical details regarding, for example, how much time is needed to execute the tool, its relevant context of use, the type of workshop needed to support the use of the tool, and the processing time it will take to utilize the results of tool use. It is easy to see that the authors have brought together years of practical experience with a deep understanding of the relevant theory. Each tool is made actionable through a visual template that helps to structure and guide the activity. All of the tool templates that are described in the book can be downloaded for free on the website for the book. I recommend reading the book before using the templates.A figure at the end of the book (page 231) visualizes the big picture of the connections across the 30 tools and the stages of the systems change process. This figure is not just a useful collection of tools, but a map that will help the reader begin the journey or evolve their own journey into complex systems landscapes.