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Multisolving

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Multisolving

Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World

Island Press,

15 min read
8 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

If you employ systems thinking, you can solve complex problems.

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Complex problems abound, but multisolving – “using one investment of time, money, or energy to address multiple problems” – may hold the clue to penetrating them. With this strategy, complexity fosters solutions instead of thwarting them. Elizabeth Sawin, founder of the Multisolving Institute, offers systems thinking strategies for addressing multiple problems at once. Some of her discussion is technical and even theoretical, but she supports it with good examples. Sawin shows how embracing multisolving can turn seemingly intractable challenges into opportunities. And she points out, just as you can use the same resources to address multiple problems, solving one problem can lead to solutions to other issues, as well.

Summary

Systems thinking addresses multiple problems at the same time.

Multisolving, “using one investment of time, money, or energy to address multiple problems,” is a common strategy, but people don’t always recognize, appreciate, or deploy it. However, taking this path can enable you to address complex, intertwined problems with complex, intertwined solutions.Systems are collections of interacting elements, called “stocks” and “flows,” that unpredictably influence each other. Examples range from the human body to environmental systems like grasslands. Multisolving embraces systems’ complexity by bringing different people and perspectives together to address multiple, systemic problems at the same time.People often try to solve problems by splitting them into parts instead of looking at them as a whole. However, while attempts to solve one problem can solve another as well, they can also worsen or only partially solve related problems.

Multisolving helps stretch limited resources and satisfy diverse interests. It can enable you to meet current and future goals, advance justice and well-being, and minimize adverse consequences. The approach also promotes appreciation for...

About the Author

Elizabeth Sawin, PhD, founded and directs the Multisolving Institute and co-founded the Climate Interactive think tank.

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