Boundaries and Definitions

When considering a complex problem, it can be helpful to define the boundaries of the system you are working with. Defining a system’s boundaries can also help you identify the larger system or environment it lives in (Define Boundaries).

One consideration for defining boundaries is the level of magnification. When you are zoomed-in on a problem it is difficult to retain awareness of the context, and when you are zoomed-out on a problem you may have difficulty seeing the finer details (Zoom In, Zoom Out). The measurements you can make to help define the system change with the level of magnification.  A process where you shift your level of magnification back and forth can help you build insight about the boundaries.

As Rittel and Webber pointed out in 1973, defining a problem and resolving a problem are deeply related.  How you describe a problem will heavily influence the types of solutions you develop. For example, if you use system dynamics or causal loop diagrams, you might look for solutions to influence cause and effect. But if you define the problem in terms of the four types of complexity (Four Types of Human Complexity), you might look for ways to reduce that complexity or to increase your capacity to respond to it (Match Capacity and Complexity). The importance of defining boundaries is apparent when building a shared agenda for Collective Impact, during the early stages of building a Community of Practice, and throughout any Process of Building Trust.

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