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System orientation is the Third of the Seven Competences of the Sustainably Competent Professional: it's the 'S' in RESFIA+D.
> For the numbered notes, such as (1), see below.
> Download RESFIA+D, including this page, as a set of spreadsheets in English, German or Dutch: see RESFIA+D: The introduction.
System orientation: A sustainably competent professional thinks and acts from a systemic perspective.
Level 3: Apply | Level 4: Integrate | Level 5: Improve | Level 6: Innovate |
S1. Think from systems, flexibly zoom in and out on issues, i.e. thinking analytically and holistically in turn
> In preparation for your work, you consider how your work is part of a larger system. (1) > You explore how you can best contribute to the goals of that system. > Having zoomed in on your own work during the execution, you step back at the end and consider the extent to which the results have contributed to that larger system. | > You and others within the system coordinate the work harmoniously, so that the system derives maximum benefit. > During execution, you concentrate on your own work, but you maintain regular contact with the others so as not to lose sight of the big picture. > Afterwards, you jointly analyse the individual results in detail, and review the result achieved together as a whole. | > You do so repeatedly, examining the goals, implementation and results at all system levels and making adjustments where necessary. > In doing so, you also involve the environment (2) of the system concerned from a holistic approach. > This leads not only to continuous improvement of the work processes, but perhaps also of the structure of the system itself. | > From a combination of analytical and holistic considerations, you make proposals for structural improvements for the system within which you work, and if necessary also in its environment. > In doing so, you introduce original solutions that may be unexpected to many. |
S2. Recognise flaws in the fabric and sources of vigour in systems, having the ability to use sources of vigour
> You analyze the structure and the modus operandi of your immediate working environment. > Based on this, you perform a SWOT analysis (3). | > You perform this SWOT analysis for the organization of which you are a member and its environment (2). > You do so from a perspective of sustainable development, for example from the Triple P (4). | > You perform the SWOT analysis in close cooperation with representatives from all sections of your organisation. > Based on the SWOT analysis, you exploit strengths and opportunities, thus improving weaknesses and anticipating potential threats. | > You also perform the SWOT analysis in close cooperation with representatives in the wider environment of your organisation. > Together with them, you strengthen the system structurally, sustainably and permanently. |
S3. Think and act integrated and circular
> Of the services, products or processes related to your professional activity, you make explicit in which way they are a part of a longer chain or life cycle (5). | > Of these services, products and processes, you map the consequences for sustainable development (6), and you relate them to the consequences for sustainable development of the entire chain or life cycle. > You cooperate on this with others who control or influence other parts of the cycle. | > Based on the results of this analysis, you make recommendations to realize sustainable improvements in the entire life cycle. (7) | > You design original and innovative solutions to fulfil functions and needs that are more favourable throughout the entire system with regard to sustainable development than the previous ones (8). |
1. System: an object, project or working environment, consisting of constituent parts; e.g. a building, a housing estate, a curriculum, a hospital, a shopkeepers' association, a community of practice, an entire organisation, a production chain, a country, a military operation, an industry, a natural habitat, etc.: decide which is most relevant.
2. Environment: The literal environment: nature, local community, infrastructure, local government. Also: the figurative environment, e.g. the supply chain, the networks of customers, industry, finance, competition, etc.
3. SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
4. Triple P: the triangle of people, planet, profit (or prosperity)
5. This may concern the life cycle of an industrial product, or a human being or an animal, a natural habitat, a company, a people or a nations, etc.
6. In a qualitative or a quantitative way, in words, schemes, formulas, tables, art expressions or otherwise, depending on the situation, your discipline and the nature of the activity.
7. A natural improvement is closing a life cycle (if that has not been done yet), by means of reuse, high-level or low-level recycling, or energy reuse by burning.
8. E.g.: higher environmental and energy efficiency; less greenhouse gas or nitrogen emissions; better working conditions; more exciting work; less nuisance; better protection of nature; less pesticides.