The Systems Praxis Framework, a joint project of the International Council on Systems Engineering and the International Society

for the Systems Sciences

lines INTEGRATIVE SYSTEMS SCIENCE Pragm

ati
ti fi c Discip , Identifying, exploring, and understanding patterns of complexity through contributions from e.g., A c Disciplin
Scien ., Physics cco es
e.g science Desig unting,
Foundations Theories Representations n, La
N e u ro w
Meta-theories of Methodology, General Systems Theory, Systems Models, Dynamics, Networks,
lines Ontology, Epistemology, Axiology, Pathology, Complexity, Anticipatory Cellular Automata, Life Cycles, Form
is tic Discip , al
e.g., Discipline
n y Praxiology (theory of effective Systems, Cybernetics, Autopoiesis, Queues, Graphs, Rich Pictures,
Huma Psycholog Ma s
e.g., e ric
to action), Teleology, Semiotics and Living Systems, Science of Generic Narratives, Games and Dramas, Comp th, Logic,
u ltu re, Rh Semiosis, Categories, etc. Design, Organization Theory, etc. Agent-based Simulations, etc.
utatio
n
C

SYSTEMS THINKING
Appreciative and reflective practice using
practice informs theory 'systems-paradigm' concepts, principles, patterns,
etc. theory informs practice

SYSTEMS APPROACHES TO PRACTICE

Addressing complex problems/opportunities using methods, tools, frameworks, practice patterns, etc.
input
from Pragmatic, Pluralist, or Critical multi-methodology uses heuristics, prototyping, model unfolding, fr
and le om exper
i r e c t input s gacy ie
d
discip
line boundary critiques, etc., to understand assumptions, contexts, and constraints, including complexity from pract nce
ices
stakeholder values and valuations; chooses appropriate mix of 'hard', 'soft', and custom methods; sees
systems as networks, societies of agents, organisms, ecosystems, rhizomes, discourses, machines, etc. solic
ured
meas ified local ited
pec 'Hard' methods are suited to solving well-defined 'Soft' methods are suited to structuring problems know values,
and s rics, etc. ledge
et problems with reliable data, clear optimization goals, involving incomplete data, unclear goals, perspective , etc.
d ata, m
and at most objective complexity; use machine and role complexity, etc.; use learning system
metaphor and realist/functionalist foundations. metaphor and constructivist/interpretivist foundations.

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