Figure 2 Seeing the world as containing systems (being systematic) and seeing the process of inquiry, of engaging with a situation,
as systemic (being systemic) (adapted from Checkland, 1999).
Description
This is a cartoon. On the left is Observer 1. He is saying ‘I spy systems which I can engineer’ and is seeing a number of
systems referred to as ‘The observer’s perceived real world’. Underneath this is the label ‘The world: systemic’. On the right
is Observer 2. He is saying ‘I spy complexity and confusion: but I can organise exploration of it as a learning system’ and
is seeing a number of lines labelled ‘The observer’s perceived real world’. Underneath this is the label ‘The process of inquiry:
systemic’