Dealing with complexity by using multilevel system boundary models

Abstract

Increasingly, researchers and practitioners operate in complex systems difficult to comprehend. In them, the multiplicity of perspectives, elements and relationships operating on multiple levels makes the practice of systems thinking and boundary critique considerably difficult. Drawing upon boundary critique and hierarchy theory, this paper presents ways of thinking in terms of multilevel boundary judgements models useful for addressing the aforementioned problem in all fields of study. A real example of the use of these models is presented. This paper also discusses how thinking in terms of multiple levels of boundary judgements is important to better deal with values and moral frameworks and to promote critical reflexivity in systemic interventions, while escaping the dangers of reductionism. Furthermore, a systemic way of exploring the role of moral frameworks in systems practice is discussed, contributing with new concepts useful to develop a deeper understanding of ethical issues in systems practice.

Project schedule contingency planning: Building on von Bertalanffy's open systems theory and critical systems practice

“…A comment heard from the very beginning of the system thinking movement is that ‘the Universe is a hierarchy of systems; that is, simple systems are synthesized into more complex systems from subatomic particles to civilizations.’ (Skyttner, 2005, p. 51). This comment reflects the importance of the notion of hierarchy as a key focus of general systems theory (Jackson, 2019; Pinzon‐Salcedo & Bernal‐Alvarado, 2022). In this spirit, the literature argues that holism should be viewed as a complement to, not a replacement for, reductionism (Jackson, 2006).…”

“…(Skyttner, 2005, p. 51). This comment reflects the importance of the notion of hierarchy as a key focus of general systems theory (Jackson, 2019;Pinzon-Salcedo & Bernal-Alvarado, 2022). In this spirit, the literature argues that holism should be viewed as a complement to, not a replacement for, reductionism (Jackson, 2006).…”

“…Although a detailed analysis of the elements of each hierarchy of projects is necessary (as discussed in Section 3.2), the literature also emphasises the importance of examining the interactions between different hierarchical levels of complex systems (Pinzon‐Salcedo & Bernal‐Alvarado, 2022). There is a long history of attention to the role of the project environment, as a higher hierarchical level, in the success and failure of projects (Negash & Hassan, 2020).…”

Systems thinking concepts within a collaborative program evaluation methodology: The Hermes Program Evaluation

“…In these complex evaluations, boundary critique can help to clarify the intervention at different levels of complexity, while maintaining a critical attitude and highlighting the interconnections between the subsystems (see Reed et al, 2021). These complex situations also offer the opportunity to think in terms of multiple levels of boundary judgments, taking advantage of hierarchy theory (for an explanation of multilevel boundary models, see Pinzon-Salcedo and Bernal-Alvarado, 2021). As Pinzon-Salcedo and Bernal-Alvarado (2021) have shown, this can promote critical reflexivity in systemic interventions, and particularly in program evaluations, regardless of whether these evaluations are guided by a collaborative or participatory approach or not.…”

Do jaguars of the Amazon rainforest have a systemic perspective?

“…Figure 3 represents the whole universe composed of interrelated subsystems. Tukanos are conscious of the feedback loops that operate between upper and lower hierarchical levels (see Pinzon‐Salcedo & Bernal‐Alvarado, 2021). They conceptualize the world in terms of interrelated ‘systems’, a key pattern of the DSRP Theory (Cabrera et al, 2015).…”