Why use Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)?

Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) gives you a way to make sense of and resolve situations characterised by power imbalances, or where stakeholders are disenfranchised or marginalised. 

CSH is used where a situation has confused or disputed boundaries or participants.

Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) has been used in organisations, and in complex social or technical scenarios, and is applicable to all types and scales of situations; from teams to global institutions. 

What is Critical Systems Heuristics?

CSH is a reflective practice aimed at uncovering the assumptions and power dynamics underlying our systems models. It uses a framework of questions for modelling beneficiaries, decision-making, knowledge and expertise, as well as exploring legitimacy; those who might be adversely affected. 

The CSH approach helps us to assesses what elements are included in our analysis and to make sense of differences between as-is and ought-to-be perspectives on a situation, to facilitate formulating actions to address critical gaps.

CSH intro
available on LMS
Critical Systems Heuristics

introduction (CSH1 - 0.5d)

£100 (pre-recorded) Tony Korycki
This course provides learners with an introduction to the Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) method. The course offers a grounding in the thinking behind the method, its concepts and terms, its practical application in understanding boundary issues, and how it helps to identify what’s important in driving change in a problematic situation. Trainer The training is presented by Tony Korycki, a
CSH intro
Critical Systems Heuristics

introduction (CSH1 - 0.5d)

This course provides learners with an introduction to the Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) method. The course offers a grounding in the thinking behind the method, its concepts and terms, its practical application in understanding boundary issues, and how it helps to identify what’s important in driving change in a problematic situation. Trainer The training is presented by Tony Korycki, a...
available on LMS
Course is online
£100 (pre-recorded)
Organiser(s)
SCiO
£100 (pre-recorded)
CSH core
available on LMS
Critical Systems Heuristics

core (CSH2-5 - 1.5d)

£300 (pre-recorded) Tony Korycki
The Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) core modules are designed for those relatively new to systems thinking and provides training in modelling organisational or institutional situations using CSH. You’ll develop an understanding of problematic situations, following a structured approach, with a series of steps to take you through required concepts and modelling. Examples and case study materials
CSH core
Critical Systems Heuristics

core (CSH2-5 - 1.5d)

The Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) core modules are designed for those relatively new to systems thinking and provides training in modelling organisational or institutional situations using CSH. You’ll develop an understanding of problematic situations, following a structured approach, with a series of steps to take you through required concepts and modelling. Examples and case study materials...
available on LMS
Course is online
£300 (pre-recorded)
Organiser(s)
SCiO
£300 (pre-recorded)
CSH advanced
available now
Critical Systems Heuristics

advanced (CSH6 - 0.5d)

Tony Korycki
The advanced course provides learners with the knowledge and skills required for integrating the use of CSH. It covers: application of CSH at different scales from a single team to a multi-organisation or institutional system, how the underlying Systems Laws and Concepts are embodied in the CSH method, handling participation issues and multiple perspectives when engaging with stakeholders, ways to
CSH advanced
Critical Systems Heuristics

advanced (CSH6 - 0.5d)

The advanced course provides learners with the knowledge and skills required for integrating the use of CSH. It covers: application of CSH at different scales from a single team to a multi-organisation or institutional system, how the underlying Systems Laws and Concepts are embodied in the CSH method, handling participation issues and multiple perspectives when engaging with stakeholders, ways to...
available now
Course is online
Organiser(s)
SCiO

All courses will be available in a pre-recorded form at £200 per nominal day.

For groups, they can also be delivered as webinars at £500 per day per trainee

For organisations they can also be delivered face-to-face with terms negotiable.

Presentations and Articles on CSH

English
0:30 +Q

Introduction to Critical System Heuristics

This session is a brief introduction to what Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) is, how it fits, where it applies, how it works in a nutshell, and how it relates to other methods in the Systems Thinking meta-approach. There’s also a simplified practical example of CSH in practice, and hopefully a chance for some discussion about applying the method. About Tony: Tony is a specialist in...
Read more
Contact the Author
English
0:30 +Q

Introduction to Critical System Heuristics

This session is a brief introduction to what Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) is, how it fits, where it applies, how it works in a nutshell, and how it relates to other methods in the Systems Thinking meta-approach. There’s also a simplified practical example of CSH in practice, and hopefully a chance for some discussion about applying the method. About Tony: Tony is a specialist in...
Contact the Author
English
0:43 +Q

Moving beyond Value Conflicts: Systems Thinking in Action

Value conflicts can become entrenched in destructive patterns of mutual stigmatization, which inhibit the emergence of new understandings of the situation and actions for improvement. In extreme cases, such patterns can even lead to violence. This presentation offers a new systems theory of value conflict, which suggests the possibility of three different strategies for intervention: supporting...
Read more
Use with Accreditation
English
0:43 +Q

Moving beyond Value Conflicts: Systems Thinking in Action

Value conflicts can become entrenched in destructive patterns of mutual stigmatization, which inhibit the emergence of new understandings of the situation and actions for improvement. In extreme cases, such patterns can even lead to violence. This presentation offers a new systems theory of value conflict, which suggests the possibility of three different strategies for intervention: supporting...
Use with Accreditation
English
0:46 +Q

A Systems Theory of Marginalization and its Implications for Systemic Intervention

In this talk, Gerald Midgley will present the systems theory of marginalization that he has been developing and applying in systemic interventions for almost 30 years. This theory offers a generic model of marginalization processes that is equally relevant to relationships between people in small groups, organizations, communities and international relations. Both people and the issues that...
Read more
Use with Accreditation
English
0:46 +Q

A Systems Theory of Marginalization and its Implications for Systemic Intervention

In this talk, Gerald Midgley will present the systems theory of marginalization that he has been developing and applying in systemic interventions for almost 30 years. This theory offers a generic model of marginalization processes that is equally relevant to relationships between people in small groups, organizations, communities and international relations. Both people and the issues that...
Use with Accreditation
English
0:37 +Q

Critical systems heuristics (CSH) and viable systems model (VSM): contemporary challenges to promoting systems praxis.

CSH and VSM derive from quite separate rich traditions of systems thinking, each with enigmatic original champions - C.West Churchman and Stafford Beer respetively. This session will open space to explore common and divergent lineages, challenges, and opportunities of each approach for the future prospects and developments of promoting systemic praxis in the Anthropocene. A particular focus will...
Read more
Contact the Author
English
0:37 +Q

Critical systems heuristics (CSH) and viable systems model (VSM): contemporary challenges to promoting systems praxis.

CSH and VSM derive from quite separate rich traditions of systems thinking, each with enigmatic original champions - C.West Churchman and Stafford Beer respetively. This session will open space to explore common and divergent lineages, challenges, and opportunities of each approach for the future prospects and developments of promoting systemic praxis in the Anthropocene. A particular focus will...
Contact the Author
English
59pp

A Primer to Critical Systems Heuristics for Action Researchers

Action Research, Critical Systems Heruistics and Social Planning, or: The Art of Promoting Improvement. Introduction. Action Research as I understand it is closely connected to processes of social planning. Sometimes it is a part of a planning process, sometimes it has to confront the consequences of planning efforts that did not sufficiently consider the needs of those affected. In the second...
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Attachments:
English
59pp

A Primer to Critical Systems Heuristics for Action Researchers

Action Research, Critical Systems Heruistics and Social Planning, or: The Art of Promoting Improvement. Introduction. Action Research as I understand it is closely connected to processes of social planning. Sometimes it is a part of a planning process, sometimes it has to confront the consequences of planning efforts that did not sufficiently consider the needs of those affected. In the second...
English
15pp

A Brief Introduction to Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)

Critical systems heuristics(Ulrich 1983) is a framework for reflective practice based on practical philosophy and systems thinking. The name stands for three major concerns. The basic idea of CSH is to support boundary critique(reflective practice),or it can use boundary judgments for critical purposes against those who may not handle them so self-critically (emancipatory practice).
Read more
Attachments:
English
15pp

A Brief Introduction to Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)

Critical systems heuristics(Ulrich 1983) is a framework for reflective practice based on practical philosophy and systems thinking. The name stands for three major concerns. The basic idea of CSH is to support boundary critique(reflective practice),or it can use boundary judgments for critical purposes against those who may not handle them so self-critically (emancipatory practice).
English
13pp

A critical systems evaluation of the introduction of a ‘discharge to assess’ service in Kent

Article in Critical Social Policy Vol 42, issue 4 [free to read and download] Discharge to Assess (D2A) models of care have been developed to expedite the process of discharging hospital patients as soon as they are medically fit to leave, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system. This article focuses on the implementation of a D2A model in Kent, England, which...
Read more
Attachments:
English
13pp

A critical systems evaluation of the introduction of a ‘discharge to assess’ service in Kent

Article in Critical Social Policy Vol 42, issue 4 [free to read and download] Discharge to Assess (D2A) models of care have been developed to expedite the process of discharging hospital patients as soon as they are medically fit to leave, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system. This article focuses on the implementation of a D2A model in Kent, England, which...
English
18pp

Using Critical Systems Heuristics to Guide Second-Order Critique of Systemic Practice: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Mining Operations in Southern Peru

Article in Systems Research & Behavioural Science, Vol 31, issue 2, p197-214 [$49 download cost; 48h access $12] A framework based on Ulrich's critical systems heuristics (CSH) is presented to organize second-order critical inquiry in systems practice and action research. It is argued that such an approach not only improves the rigour of systems methodologies in action in a specific ‘situation of...
Read more
Attachments:
English
18pp

Using Critical Systems Heuristics to Guide Second-Order Critique of Systemic Practice: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Mining Operations in Southern Peru

Article in Systems Research & Behavioural Science, Vol 31, issue 2, p197-214 [$49 download cost; 48h access $12] A framework based on Ulrich's critical systems heuristics (CSH) is presented to organize second-order critical inquiry in systems practice and action research. It is argued that such an approach not only improves the rigour of systems methodologies in action in a specific ‘situation of...