The Craft of Systems Change

The document introduces the 'Systems Journey,' a three-phase iterative process (Engage, Explore, Learn) designed to move beyond linear thinking in conservation and sustainability work. It outlines eight core principles for systemic change and provides a toolkit of 11 practical methods—such as Systems Mapping, the Iceberg Model, and Scenario Planning—to help navigators identify leverage points and develop adaptive theories of action. The guide emphasizes the importance of co-creation, acknowledging power dynamics, and embracing a 'safe-to-fail' experimental mindset to achieve long-term structural transformation.

• The Systems Journey consists of three broad phases: Phase 1 (Engage) focuses on orienting the navigator and understanding the system; Phase 2 (Explore) involves co-creating future visions and analyzing leverage; and Phase 3 (Learn) emphasizes iterative experimentation and adaptation.
• The guide identifies eight mutually reinforcing principles to guide systems change: seeing oneself in the system, identifying frames, co-creating with intention, exploring time and scale, finding simplicity in complexity, experimenting iteratively, aligning structure with change, and acting based on evidence.
• Leverage points are specific areas in a system where small shifts can lead to significant systemic changes. The guide distinguishes between 'shallow' leverage points, which only alter equilibrium, and 'deeper' leverage points, such as shifting system goals or mental models and paradigms.
• The document differentiates between a 'theory of change' and a 'theory of action.' A theory of change describes how a system changes regardless of specific interventions, while a theory of action hypothesizes how specific planned actions will catalyze that change.
• To avoid the 'accountability trap'—where rigid monitoring frameworks discourage innovation—the guide suggests tracking three domains of indicators: process (how actors work together), results and outcomes (leading and lagging indicators), and the big picture (broader system changes and unintended consequences).
• The guide identifies several 'entry points' where systems thinking can be introduced into existing projects, including 'Infusion' (adding systems thinking to an existing grant), 'Middle of the Puzzle' (refining initial ideas), 'Crash Course' (developing a strategy for a new problem), 'Finger Trap' (responding to a donor RFP), and 'Turning the Ship' (internal strategy review).
• Cognitive biases, such as optimism bias, sunk cost bias, and confirmation bias, can distort decision-making in systems change. The guide recommends raising awareness of these biases to improve the capacity to learn and adapt.
• The guide provides a toolkit of 11 practical methods for systems change: Creative Writing, Historical Timeline, Semi-structured Interviews, The Iceberg Model, Systems Mapping, Visualizing Situations and Change, Stakeholder Mapping, Rapid Cycle Prototyping, Scenario Planning, Wind Tunneling, and Pause and Reflect.
• Effective learning in complex systems requires 'double-loop learning,' which moves beyond simply adjusting actions (single-loop) to critically appraising the underlying assumptions, beliefs, and mental models that drive those actions.
• The guide emphasizes that power dynamics and historical legacies, including colonialism, significantly shape how actors perceive systems and participate in co-creation processes.

APA

Mahajan, S. L., Glew, L., Ryan, M., Griffin, J., Murphy, R., de Villiers, S. P., & Rieder, E. (2022). The Craft of Systems Change. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/637/3dmtmy9vfj_HYPERLINKED_The_Craft_of_Systems_Change_single_pages_FINAL_69__BRyXisc.pdf

Chicago

Mahajan, Shauna L., Louise Glew, Melanie Ryan, John Griffin, Ryan Murphy, Samantha Petersen de Villiers, and Erica Rieder. The Craft of Systems Change. WWF International, 2022. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/637/3dmtmy9vfj_HYPERLINKED_The_Craft_of_Systems_Change_single_pages_FINAL_69__BRyXisc.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mahajan |first1=Shauna L. |last2=Glew |first2=Louise |last3=Ryan |first3=Melanie |last4=Griffin |first4=John |last5=Murphy |first5=Ryan |last6=de Villiers |first6=Samantha Petersen |last7=Rieder |first7=Erica |title=The Craft of Systems Change |publisher=WWF International |date=2022 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/637/3dmtmy9vfj_HYPERLINKED_The_Craft_of_Systems_Change_single_pages_FINAL_69__BRyXisc.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mahajan2022craft, author = {Mahajan, Shauna L. and Glew, Louise and Ryan, Melanie and Griffin, John and Murphy, Ryan and de Villiers, Samantha Petersen and Rieder, Erica}, title = {{The Craft of Systems Change}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2022}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/637/3dmtmy9vfj_HYPERLINKED_The_Craft_of_Systems_Change_single_pages_FINAL_69__BRyXisc.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }