Breaking Through System Blindness: A Workshop on Root Cause Analysis and Systems Thinking (incorporating Lego®Seriousplay™ – LSP)

In this workshop we will explore the power of systems thinking and root cause analysis to overcome blind spots in our understanding of complex issues.

To kick off our session, we will be using an innovative approach called LEGO Serious Play (LSP). This methodology uses LEGO bricks to facilitate creative and collaborative problem-solving and helps participants to think through complex issues in a visual and tactile way.

With LEGO Serious Play, we will engage in a series of hands-on activities that will help us to visualize and explore the interconnections and relationships between different parts of a system. By building models using LEGO bricks, we will be able to simulate different scenarios and test our assumptions, leading to deeper insights and better decision-making.

We believe that by harnessing the power of systems thinking and root cause analysis and using LEGO Serious Play to enhance our problem-solving skills, we can break through system blindness and gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues we face in our personal and professional lives. So join us for two days as we bring you on an awesome journey of how systems thinking can help achieve your Objectives and Key Results (OKR)

Objective

1. To introduce participants to systems thinking and root cause analysis as a problem-solving methodology.
2. To explore the concept of system blindness and how it can impact decision-making and problem-solving.
3. To demonstrate the power of LEGO Serious Play as a tool for visualizing and understanding complex systems.
4. To provide participants with hands-on experience in building LEGO models to represent systems and their interconnections.
5. To facilitate discussions around the challenges of identifying root causes in complex systems and how LEGO Serious Play can help.
6. To encourage participants to think creatively and flexibly about different scenarios and potential solutions.
7. To help participants develop their skills in identifying and analyzing feedback loops, causal loops, and other systems dynamics.
8. To foster collaboration and communication among participants as they work together to build and analyze LEGO models.
9. To provide participants with practical techniques and tools for applying systems thinking and root cause analysis in their own work and lives.
10. To inspire participants to continue using LEGO Serious Play and systems thinking as a problem-solving methodology beyond the workshop.

Outline

Day 1:

• Introductions and icebreaker activity to establish a positive and inclusive group dynamic.
• Overview of the workshop objectives and agenda
• Introduction to systems thinking and root cause analysis, including the concept of system blindness.
• Overview of LEGO Serious Play methodology and how it can be used to enhance systems thinking and root cause analysis.
• Hands-on LEGO Serious Play activity to build individual models representing participants’ current understanding of a chosen system.

• Group sharing and discussion of individual models to explore differences in perception and understanding of the chosen system.
• Introduction to system dynamics, including feedback loops, causal loops, and stock-and-flow diagrams.
• Hands-on LEGO Serious Play activity to build a group model representing a chosen system and explore its feedback loops and causal relationships.
• Group sharing and discussion of the group model to identify potential root causes and system dynamics.

Day 2:

• Review of key concepts from Day 1 and group reflections on learning and progress
• Introduction to scenario planning and how it can be used to test assumptions and explore alternative futures.
• Hands-on LEGO Serious Play activity to build a group model representing a future scenario for the chosen system and explore its potential impacts
• Group sharing and discussion of the scenario model to identify potential opportunities and challenges for addressing root causes and improving the system

• Overview of practical tools and techniques for applying systems thinking and root cause analysis in real-world settings
• Hands-on LEGO Serious Play activity to build individual models representing potential solutions or interventions for the chosen system
• Group sharing and discussion of individual models to identify common themes and areas for collaboration
• Reflections on the workshop experience and action planning for applying systems thinking and root cause analysis with LEGO Serious Play in participants’ own work and lives

Methodology

The methodology of this two-day workshop involves using LEGO Serious Play to enhance systems thinking and root cause analysis. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that include building individual and group models using LEGO bricks to represent systems and their interconnections. Through group sharing and discussion, participants will explore differences in perception and understanding of the chosen system, identify potential root causes and system dynamics, and test assumptions through scenario planning. The workshop will also provide practical tools and techniques for applying systems thinking and root cause analysis in real-world settings and encourage participants to reflect on their learning and action plan for applying these methodologies in their own work and lives.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to enhance their problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of complex systems, including professionals in business, government, non-profit organizations, and education. The workshop is also suitable for individuals who are interested in systems thinking and root cause analysis as a problem-solving methodology and want to learn more about LEGO Serious Play as a tool for enhancing these skills. Participants do not need any prior experience with systems thinking or LEGO Serious Play, but an open and curious mindset is essential.