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How to intervene in a complex system EXEMPLAR
Topic: Leverage points
by Rebecca, 2020 Cohort
What is a leverage point?#
Leverage points are places within a system where a solution element can be applied, or in other words, where you can intervene to make a desired change. This concept is useful when trying to intervene in a system to achieve a particular desired outcome.
For example, climate change should be addressed, but how? What is the root issue? What is the exact change you want to see? Leverage points can help you achieve your desired outcome by answering these questions and directing you to the best place to intervene based on the desired change. However, leverage points are not only useful for making change; they can be used to determine how to protect a system from anticipated shocks, trends and events which may change the system.
Deep and shallow leverage points#
The concept of leverage points follows well from the iceberg model which represents the operation of a system. The mechanism of leverage points uses the idea of a chain reaction which tends to occur in systems where mental models influence structures, which influence patterns/trends which influence events. As a result, if mental models can be changed then the rest of the system will tend to follow, and this is known as a deep leverage point.
Contrastingly, shallow leverage points which are at the top of the iceberg are considered shallow as changing events does not tend to change the driving forces of the system. So, to make long-term and deep change the root cause/s or driving element/s of the system need to be addressed. The concept of deep and shallow leverage points can also be represented by a lever, which is where the term leverage points comes from (see figure 2). The physics of a lever is that the further away from the fulcrum you apply force, the greater the weight you can move. Or, the deeper you intervene in the iceberg, the larger the change you can make.
Leverage points in practice#
As mentioned earlier, addressing climate change is a useful demonstration for the application of leverage points. The climate change issue stems from deep mental models which drive the system, particularly the belief in exploiting coal for economic development. This mental model creates underlying structures such as society valuing GDP growth over the environment. If we could change these beliefs and values then the system’s patterns, trends and events would follow due to the iceberg chain reaction. While deep leverage points are ideal, there is a trade-off between idealism and viability. As it is extremely difficult to change societal beliefs and values, shallow leverage points are often applied such as emission taxes. Although this is the reality of addressing complex systems, investing in the viability of deep leverage points (such as research and policy formation) is necessary to start making the changes we need to see.
Note: Mental models are models or representations of reality which we hold cognitively, and which shape our understanding of the world and our behaviour.
Explore this topic further#
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Leverage points in the Primer
Disclaimer#
This content has been contributed by a student as part of a learning activity.
If there are inaccuracies, or opportunities for significant improvement on this topic, feedback is welcome on how to improve the resource.
You can improve articles on this topic as a student in "Unravelling Complexity", or by including the amendments in an email to: Chris.Browne@anu.edu.au
What is a leverage point?#
Leverage points are places within a system where a solution element can be applied, or in other words, where you can intervene to make a desired change. This concept is useful when trying to intervene in a system to achieve a particular desired outcome.
For example, climate change should be addressed, but how? What is the root issue? What is the exact change you want to see? Leverage points can help you achieve your desired outcome by answering these questions and directing you to the best place to intervene based on the desired change. However, leverage points are not only useful for making change; they can be used to determine how to protect a system from anticipated shocks, trends and events which may change the system.
Deep and shallow leverage points#
The concept of leverage points follows well from the iceberg model which represents the operation of a system. The mechanism of leverage points uses the idea of a chain reaction which tends to occur in systems where mental models influence structures, which influence patterns/trends which influence events. As a result, if mental models can be changed then the rest of the system will tend to follow, and this is known as a deep leverage point.
Contrastingly, shallow leverage points which are at the top of the iceberg are considered shallow as changing events does not tend to change the driving forces of the system. So, to make long-term and deep change the root cause/s or driving element/s of the system need to be addressed. The concept of deep and shallow leverage points can also be represented by a lever, which is where the term leverage points comes from (see figure 2). The physics of a lever is that the further away from the fulcrum you apply force, the greater the weight you can move. Or, the deeper you intervene in the iceberg, the larger the change you can make.
Leverage points in practice#
As mentioned earlier, addressing climate change is a useful demonstration for the application of leverage points. The climate change issue stems from deep mental models which drive the system, particularly the belief in exploiting coal for economic development. This mental model creates underlying structures such as society valuing GDP growth over the environment. If we could change these beliefs and values then the system’s patterns, trends and events would follow due to the iceberg chain reaction. While deep leverage points are ideal, there is a trade-off between idealism and viability. As it is extremely difficult to change societal beliefs and values, shallow leverage points are often applied such as emission taxes. Although this is the reality of addressing complex systems, investing in the viability of deep leverage points (such as research and policy formation) is necessary to start making the changes we need to see.
Note: Mental models are models or representations of reality which we hold cognitively, and which shape our understanding of the world and our behaviour.