Interconnect – a systemic co-design toolkit to foster interconnected thinking, analysis and narration

Student

Leonie Bahl

Supervisor/s

Jennifer L. Schubert

Study Programmes

MA Eco-Social Design – Graduation Project

Session

2020.2

How to develop sustainable interventions when the world and its challenges are becoming increasingly complex? How to be ambiguity-open and flexible to adapt to the fast-changing circumstances? These questions were the starting point of this thesis dealing with interconnected thinking as a possible approach and a body for transformative mindsets. The output was the open-access toolkit Interconnect, which facilitates the perception of “the bigger picture” and of the interrelations beyond disciplinary constraints. It supports a systemic analysis of societal challenges, the creation of system stories and sustainable intervention strategies, and stimulates a rethinking process.

What is part of the toolkit?
Interconnect is template-based and encompasses five guidebooks that one can use in parallel or one after the other. I-Analysis aims to generate a deeper understanding of the specific issues in the context of overall societal structures and dynamics. I-Narration helps to create systemic stories to share the in-depth analysis accessibly and playfully. I-Thinking, I-Reflection and I-Interactions enrich the overall process with additional background information, inspirations for reflection and strategies to solve difficulties within the process, and interactions for in-between the participatory process.

Wie können nachhaltige Interventionen entwickelt werden, wenn die Welt und ihre Herausforderungen immer komplexer werden? Wie kann man für Zweideutigkeit offen und flexibel sein, um sich an sich schnell ändernden Bedingungen anzupassen?
Diese Fragen waren das Fundament dieser Arbeit, die sich mit vernetztem Denken als möglichen Ansatz und Organisation für transformative Denkweisen befasste. Das Ergebnis war das Open-Access-Toolkit Interconnect, das die Wahrnehmung des „Gesamtbildes“ und der Wechselbeziehungen über disziplinarische Grenzen hinaus erleichtert. Es unterstützt eine systemische Analyse gesellschaftlicher Herausforderungen, die Erstellung von Systemgeschichten und nachhaltigen Interventionsstrategien und regt zum Umdenken an.

Was ist Teil des Toolkits?
Interconnect ist vorlagenbasiert und umfasst fünf Leitfäden: I-Analysis zielt darauf ab, ein tieferes Verständnis der spezifischen Themen im Kontext der gesellschaftlichen Strukturen und Dynamiken zu entwickeln. I-Narration hilft dabei, systemische Geschichten zu erstellen, um die eingehende Analyse auf zugängliche und spielerische Weise zu teilen. I-Thinking, I-Reflection und I-Interactions liefern zusätzliche Hintergrundinformationen, regen zum Nachdenken an, bieten Strategien zur Problemlösung innerhalb des Prozesses und Wechselwirkungen während des Teilnahmeprozesses.

Gallery

Exemplary page and template of Interconnect Analysis. The template encourages to analyse the status quo as well as arising alternatives of a topic, challenge from different perspectives and "disciplines".
Interconnect Analysis aims to generate a deeper understanding of the specific issue in the context of the overall societal structures and dynamics. Based on this analysis, there are additional templates for developing intervention strategies at a more practical level. The yellow guidebook includes step by step instructions for the analysis templates and inspires further possibilities of using individual frames. It is complemented and completed with printable templates in Din A2 size for the participatory sessions.

Interconnect Narration helps to create systemic stories to share with others the broader picture and the in-depth analysis in an accessible and playful way. The pink booklet, as well, includes step by step instructions of the creation templates. It is, as well, completed with printable templates in Din A2 size for the participatory sessions.

The theoretical guidbook is an introduction to interconnected thinking and system change. It can be read at the beginning of the participatory process to gain an overview of the theoretical background, or it can be used as process guidance to clarify possible questions

The Reflection booklet is similar to an FAQ and helps to solve questions and difficulties that arise during the process. The reflection booklet lists the most frequently asked questions, explains their occurrence, presents possible solution strategies, and collects suggestions for integrating this rethinking into everyday life.

The Interconnect Interaction booklet completes the toolkit. It contains individual and collective interactions and warm-ups for in-between participatory workshops. These games are thought to ease the process, promote teamwork, broaden the perspective, and serve as energizers along the participatory process. All games can be used to reflect on interconnected thinking and to get sensitize to the topic while playing.