We live in a world where problems are increasingly intertwined, dynamic and complex. In order to understand and act wisely in such systems, systems thinking has become an increasingly important way of thinking. But understanding a system does not mean that we automatically create solutions. That is why we also […]
Solutions Thinking – when systems thinking becomes action and design thinking joins forces
324 posts
We live in a world built on assumptions. We say that a house stands on a plot of land, that a map is north up, and that cities are something that is on the ground rather than in nature. But what happens if we turn that around? What if many […]
In our quest to create successful projects, we often focus on goals, schedules, budgets, and deliverables. But we rarely stop and ask ourselves: Where in the psychological needs of the project are we really at? How do resource shortages, lack of trust, or unclear roles affect the way we lead […]
We humans often laugh at animal behavior when, seemingly unable to understand the world we have created, they run straight into trouble. Like sea turtles that hatch on the beach and instinctively follow the light toward what they think is the moon across the ocean. But when people place lights […]
In a society characterized by quick decisions, short-term solutions and the pressure to constantly show results, it is easy to lose sight of the question that is perhaps the most important: Where are we really going? We often stop at the needs of the present or try to predict exactly […]
In a world where creativity and innovation are seen as crucial to development, it is becoming clear that it is not enough to give people knowledge. Knowledge in itself is only a potential. It is only when it is used, tested and challenged that it becomes competence. And that transition […]
I still have it, an old silver teaspoon, slightly warped at the handle from being bent. I think I got it from my grandmother, and I now remember how she once said: “You know, you don’t just stir the cup. You also stir the time.” I didn’t understand then. Now […]
We humans have a strong tendency to want to see a clear end to what we do. It’s understandable. When something is “done” it gives a sense of progress, control and a completed effort. It’s also why so much of our everyday lives are organized as projects, with a beginning, […]
We live in a time where complexity has become something of a magnet for smart people. There is something deeply satisfying about understanding things that others don’t quite grasp. When concepts like system innovation, transformative change, and mission-oriented development emerge, the most strategically curious flock to the conversations. It is […]
We often celebrate creativity. It is celebrated in innovation strategies, at conferences and in advertisements for coworking offices. But despite all this appreciation of creativity, it is surprisingly easy to unconsciously kill it. One of the most underestimated killers of creative climates is something that is rarely mentioned in innovation […]
In a world where innovation is rewarded, it is not only about thinking right, but also about acting quickly. There is a power in speed that is often underestimated in creative processes. Being first to market, first with an expression or first with an idea can sometimes outweigh being precise […]
We often want to be more creative. We know that creativity is needed to develop new products, improve organizations, and solve social problems. We also intuitively understand that creativity is something we can train, just like strength or fitness. But despite this insight, surprisingly few people regularly use creative methods, […]
We live in a time where external stimuli are constantly present. The phone vibrates, the news scrolls, content flows in a torrent through the screens. It is easy to believe that this abundance of information makes us more informed, more creative, more up-to-date. But when the access to impressions never […]
In an era of increasing complexity and global crises, we are faced with systems that no longer deliver what they were once intended to do. Inequality, climate change, ill health and resource overuse are not problems with simple solutions. They are symptoms of deeper structures in our social and production […]
A path for deep system change in a complex world. In an era where we need to not only improve our systems but also fundamentally transform them, conventional methods for change are not enough. To address the sustainability crisis, growing inequality or unsustainable value chains, a different way of understanding […]
In the work on system innovation, there is often talk about methods that help us change systems. But before we can change, we must first understand. And sometimes it is precisely in the first phase, where we try to grasp the complexity, that the biggest mistakes occur. We jump too […]
What does it really take to bring about change in complex social systems? When you are in the midst of the consequences of the climate crisis, social gaps or resource waste, it is easy to feel that huge changes are required. But what if the solution is not always to […]
System change does not start with solutions, it starts with understanding. In a complex world where sustainability challenges are intertwined and long-term, more is needed than problem-solving in silos. We need methods that help us see the whole, the relationships and the dynamics – and one of the most powerful […]
In an era of climate crisis, digital transformation and social change, it is no longer enough to improve what is. To create sustainable societies, we need to change entire systems, how we produce, consume, organize and collaborate. One of the most useful methods for understanding and driving such changes is […]
Imagine that you have one million dollars and the assignment to invest it in innovation projects. It sounds like a dream for many people, to be the one to create the future. But it is also a challenge. Because suddenly it is no longer about visions, but about choices. How […]
We often talk about sustainability in big words such as climate goals, fossil-free transport, reduced consumption. But when it comes to economic models, it is easy to get lost in technical terms. So let’s keep it simple, especially from a consumer perspective. Three economies that are three ways of managing […]
We humans are incredibly smart. We’ve created satellites, self-driving cars, AI that writes poetry. And yet. When it comes to solving our greatest common crisis, we forget to look to the one who has already solved it: Nature herself. Today I stood by a tree. An old, crooked, almost slightly […]
He walked backwards to work. He was carrying a backpack. Gray, with an embroidered banana on it. I still remember it clearly, what a nutcase. Or did someone make a joke that it’s good to walk backwards, to see how many people take on idiotic tenders? Of course you wonder: […]
In our time, many of the systems we surround ourselves with are built to amplify effects, create growth, and generate immediate responses. But when we look more closely at nature—and at our own bodies—we see that the most sustainable systems work quite differently. They regulate themselves. They seek balance. They […]
In an increasingly complex world, it is no longer enough to hope that innovation will emerge spontaneously. Innovation must be organized and made an available resource, just as a service organization offers support and help when needed. Instead of trying to reduce or control complexity, we need to create organizations […]
To achieve true circularity, we need more than just smart solutions; we need a new form of collaboration. Co-design, or co-creation, can be one of the most important prerequisites for creating sustainable and circular systems. Co-design means involving all stakeholders in the design process, from users to producers, recyclers and […]
Innovation is rarely about a single brilliant idea. It is almost always about making ideas happen, having the energy, courage and the ability to take them from thought to action. And somewhere between idea and action, friction arises. Friction in innovation work is like invisible brakes. They are not always […]
We humans love smart systems. We like it when resources are put to good use, when waste is given a new lease of life, and when what was once waste becomes an asset in another context. This idea is called industrial symbiosis, and it has received a lot of attention […]
James Clear’s best-selling Atomic Habits has helped millions understand how small, consistent changes can create big results. It’s a book full of structure, planning, and micro-improvements. But is that all it takes for real development? What if we said that chance is also a necessary component of sustainable and creative […]
There are plenty of courses, manuals and training courses today that teach innovation. ISO 56002 – the global standard for innovation management – describes processes, structures and principles. Method maps point out paths through idea development, prototyping, testing and scaling. All of this is valuable – but it is not […]