The Berkana Two-Loop Model, as described by Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze, is a map for creating change in living and social systems. It illustrates the concept that change can intentionally be created by strategically using the concept of emergence.
The upper loop represents the existing system. All living systems go through a period in which they rise, peak, and then move into decline. Stewards of the existing system try to maintain the health of the system for as long as possible. As systems near their peak, signs of turbulence may appear, leading to decline. As decline continues, the need to provide hospice care grows. Hospice care can help the system end gracefully, making sure that as it declines, damage is minimized and learning is maximized. This is similar to the right side of the Adaptive Cycle.
The lower loop illustrates how a new system can emerge from an old one. Turbulence in an existing system leads to “walk outs” from the old system. These innovators and trailblazers turn their backs on the existing system so they can create something new. Innovators tend to work in isolation, are invisible, and are mostly ignored. If they remain isolated, they may fail. But if the innovators are identified and connected, they can form networks and build trust to allow for a stronger base and a sharing of knowledge. When networks are nourished, they can become Communities of Practice. Connecting and nourishing these networks and communities is key to the growth of the new system. They are the fertile ground in which a new system can take root. If nourished enough, these networks and communities begin to share the knowledge of their successes—they illuminate what’s possible, becoming a system of influence. This is similar to the left side of the Adaptive Cycle.
The transition from the old to the new is a critical phase where resources and people start to flow towards the innovations that have proven to be effective. It’s in this space that the old system can offer its resources to nourish the new system and help it grow.
Deeper Dive
- Wheatley, M, and D Frieze. Using Emergence to Take Social Innovation to Scale, The Berkana Institute.
- Frieze, D. How I Became a Localist, TEDxJamaicaPlain.
- Systems Innovation. Two Loops Model.
Related Frameworks
- Adaptive Cycle: illustrates similar transitions in an infinite loop
- Community of Practice: a more detailed bottom loop
- Process of Building Trust: the process needed to go from left to right on the bottom loop