Nandintsetseg Battulga
🚀 "I know how overwhelming systems thinking and system dynamics can feel at first—I felt the same way. But I learned that it is all about taking it step by step. The best approach? Stay curious, connect with others, ask questions, and keep learning. It is a journey, and we are all growing together!"
#SystemsThinking #Complexity #LeveragePoints #WomenInSystems
How did you first encounter systems thinking, and what made it "click" for you?
I first encountered systems thinking while studying at Washington University in St. Louis. In my classes, I had the opportunity to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, and discussing complex social problems with them exposed me to different perspectives. I was introduced to systems thinking through a Group Model Building course taught by Professor Peter Hovmand. In this course, he showed us different examples of models from various countries, including Mongolia, which was particularly interesting to me as I am from Mongolia. During the course, my team and I worked on mapping a complex local issue—the challenges faced by students in the local school district in St. Louis, Missouri. Through this hands-on experience, I saw how systems thinking could bring different voices together, uncover hidden dynamics, and provide deeper insights into real-world challenges. That’s when it truly clicked for me—it changed the way I approach problem-solving.
What is a misconception about systems thinking that you wish more people understood?
Currently, I teach social science courses at a university in Mongolia, and I have noticed that when people hear about systems thinking, they often see it as too theoretical or abstract, something not directly relevant to real-life problems. But I think that’s a misconception. Systems thinking is not just an academic concept, it is a mindset that helps us understand how everything is interconnected. It allows us to identify leverage points where interventions can create meaningful change, while also being aware of potential unintended consequences. This perspective is especially important in real-world applications, including in Mongolia, where addressing complex social issues requires a holistic and dynamic approach.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone new to systems thinking, what would it be?
At first, systems thinking felt a bit difficult and intimidating with all the different concepts, diagrams, and technical terms. It seemed overwhelming, but I realized that it is important to learn step by step rather than trying to grasp everything at once. Most importantly, I believe that connecting with people in the systems thinking or system dynamics community is incredibly valuable. Being able to reach out, ask questions, and learn from others helped me build my skills over time. For this reason, my advice would be to stay engaged, seek out conversations, and remember that learning is a continuous process.
Can you share a moment when systems thinking changed how you approached a real-world problem?
One moment when systems thinking changed my approach was during my initial research on Mongolian herders and modernization. I realized that challenges such as climate change, the decline of young herders, and economic difficulties were all interconnected. By creating causal loop diagrams, I saw how economic growth in cities drew young herders away, while extreme weather further threatened their livelihoods. This helped me understand that addressing just one issue wouldn’t be enough—we needed a holistic approach that supports herders’ livelihoods, enhances rural education, and strengthens government policies. I continue to work on this issue using systems thinking and system dynamics.
What is one book, tool, or resource that significantly shaped your journey in systems?
One book that really shaped my journey in systems thinking is Systems Thinking for Social Change by David Peter Stroh—it’s engaging, practical, and helped me see how to apply systems thinking to real-world problems. Another great resource is Community Based System Dynamics by Peter S. Hovmand, which provides guidance on how to engage communities in system dynamics and participatory modeling. And being a member of the System Dynamics Society has been an incredible way to access resources, connect with experts, and continuously learn from the community.
