Only systems thinking approaches can address the complex systemic challenges that surround us. As the professional body for Systems Thinking Practitioners, SCiO is unique for its focus on systems practice through the breadth and depth of the systems approaches we use. We support this with free resources, professional courses on systems practice and intervention skills, professional qualifications, and communities that support practitioners. Our chapters operate in several countries and languages.
What is SCiO?
Professional Body
Acknowledged by Skills England within UK government, as the professional body for Systems Thinking Practitioners, SCiO is dedicated to the advancement of the awareness and knowledge of Systems Thinking, and its recognition as a profession.
SCiO has three main goals:
- Developing practice in applying systems ideas to a range of organisational and institutional issues,
- Disseminating the use of systems approaches in dealing with complex situations,
- Supporting practitioners in their professional practice.
SCiO develops, supports, and promotes systems thinking practice for technical and ethical competence, and provides professional development training, events and networking opportunities. SCiO also maintains working relationships with partner bodies internationally and the UK, to support its goals, and complimentary goals of those federations and societies.
Competency Framework
SCiO has created a framework of competencies for practitioners of systems thinking, based on our Systems Thinking Body of Knowledge (SysBoK) and the systems laws, and this is aligned to the Institute for Apprenticeship (IfA) Systems Thinking Practitioner L7 accreditation and their framework of Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours.
This framework gives the details of competencies, in the fields of..
- Systems Knowledge and Skills
- Systems Thinking Knowledge and Skills
- Intervention Skills
The CF resource guide provides references & links for each item in the competency framework.
Professional Development
Professional development through learning is a key objective for SCiO. To further this aim we have been heavily involved in the development of the Systems Thinking in Practice L7 apprenticeship.
The modules from this apprenticeship , closely linked to the topics in the Competency Framework, provide the basis for a substantial set of professional courses that are now available online (or as webinars or face to face by arrangement).
Professional Accreditation
Systems Practitioner Assessment Ltd (SPA) is a company that has been set up by SCiO - the professional body for systems practitioners - to carry out End Point Assessment of the Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship qualification.
SPA also assesses professional qualifications, on SCiO's behalf, using SCiO’s professional grading structure based on the Competency Framework (see above).
Resources
SCiO has hundreds of recordings of speakers at systems events (in several languages) and has also created a list of most of the systems books currently in print.
English
The Fractal Organisation Manual: How to diagnose & design organisations using the Viable System Model
RRP: £12.99; Paperback: 192 pp; Publisher: SCiO; ISBN 979-8250847018 In a world of increasing turbulence, the need has never been greater for knowing how to build systems capable of maintaining their viability when all around them is change. This is a follow up to the Fractal Organization published by Wiley almost twenty years ago. It provides practical guidance on ways to use the Viable...
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English
The Fractal Organisation Manual: How to diagnose & design organisations using the Viable System Model
RRP: £12.99; Paperback: 192 pp; Publisher: SCiO; ISBN 979-8250847018 In a world of increasing turbulence, the need has never been greater for knowing how to build systems capable of maintaining their viability when all around them is change. This is a follow up to the Fractal Organization published by Wiley almost twenty years ago. It provides practical guidance on ways to use the Viable...
English
12pp
Understanding and Achieving Systemic Governance: Lessons from Finland
We stand at a critical juncture in human history. The climate emergency, biodiversity collapse, and mounting social inequalities demand governance capable of navigating complexity and uncertainty. Yet most governments still operate with hierarchical, control based systems designed for a simpler world that no longer exists. Between December 2024 and May 2025, we conducted a systemic co-inquiry in...
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Contact the Author
English
12pp
Understanding and Achieving Systemic Governance: Lessons from Finland
We stand at a critical juncture in human history. The climate emergency, biodiversity collapse, and mounting social inequalities demand governance capable of navigating complexity and uncertainty. Yet most governments still operate with hierarchical, control based systems designed for a simpler world that no longer exists. Between December 2024 and May 2025, we conducted a systemic co-inquiry in...
Contact the Author
English
15pp
Reframing Public Services in Ireland as a Relational Practice
This paper makes the case for reframing public services in Ireland as Relational Public Services (RPS) that take a Human Learning Systems Approach (HLS), which describes a way of organising viable services built around relationships and collective learning, as distinct from transactions, targets and standardised processes. The approach centres on developing an understanding of complexity, raising...
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English
15pp
Reframing Public Services in Ireland as a Relational Practice
This paper makes the case for reframing public services in Ireland as Relational Public Services (RPS) that take a Human Learning Systems Approach (HLS), which describes a way of organising viable services built around relationships and collective learning, as distinct from transactions, targets and standardised processes. The approach centres on developing an understanding of complexity, raising...
English
Methods for Systems Thinking: 65+ Practical Approaches for Exploring Systems, Perspectives, and Complexity
RRP: £28.85; Paperback: 270 pp; Publisher: Routledge; ISBN 978-1041111719 Methods for Systems Thinking is a practical workbook with more than 65 methods you can apply right away. It helps you explore complex systems, involve the right people, and respond effectively to change. The QuickStart Guide shows you where to begin. You can start with the short theory section, use the 5M Methods Matrix...
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English
Methods for Systems Thinking: 65+ Practical Approaches for Exploring Systems, Perspectives, and Complexity
RRP: £28.85; Paperback: 270 pp; Publisher: Routledge; ISBN 978-1041111719 Methods for Systems Thinking is a practical workbook with more than 65 methods you can apply right away. It helps you explore complex systems, involve the right people, and respond effectively to change. The QuickStart Guide shows you where to begin. You can start with the short theory section, use the 5M Methods Matrix...