Systems thinking means better collaborative infrastructure outcomes

Improving outcomes with systems thinking

Cross-industry support for a new systems thinking report will help the built environment sector to deliver joined-up approaches with better results for people, places and planet, says Mott MacDonald’s global cities lead and fellow, Clare Wildfire.

The launch of the Built Environment Connective’s Connect to Change report, with cross-industry support, makes the case that the built environment sector’s success in delivering the best possible outcomes for people and planet depends on a better understanding of interconnectedness within its systems. This is termed system thinking, which the report aims to make a more mainstream practice.

To make that happen, Connect to Change seeks to establish a shared understanding to define systems thinking and its opportunities. It builds commitment to utilising it across the sector’s value chain, with multi-sectoral contributions from an expert community convened by the Built Environment Connective. It also explores the key actions the industry can take – expanding the practitioner community, establishing a consensus and changing ways of working – to put this into practice.

The report is also supported by the UK Government’s newly formed National Infrastructure Strategy and Transition Authority (NISTA), which unites the UK’s long-term infrastructure strategy with best-practice project delivery. This is precisely where systems thinking can deliver impact – and why the launch of the Connect to Change report comes at just the right time.

Why systems thinking matters

The built environment sector can better deliver its purpose with a clearer picture of the interconnected nature of its infrastructure assets and operations. It can share and understand the feedback loops built into the system, and find the levers and new approaches to enable positive change.

Examples of how interdependencies impact on the built environment are increasingly well known, including the vital role nature plays in supporting our existence, and the many determinants of health that sit outside the healthcare sector itself.

Systems consist of interconnected elements working together to achieve a purpose. They can include physical systems, such as infrastructure assets and buildings. And human systems with diverse stakeholders, which include public service providers, infrastructure clients, engineers, supply chains, regulators and governments. Systems also include digital components for the management and use of data and information.

The different components of the system connect, interact and combine to achieve outcomes, which are the impact systems have on places, environments and people. For example, a transport system’s components – including its physical assets, the utilities it depends on, and the institutions and people who operate, regulate and monitor it – work together to offer connectivity critical to economic growth, social mobility and wellbeing.

Systems and their outcomes are changed through interventions. An example of an intervention would be the choices made in maintaining, upgrading or replacing an aging asset, though it will always depend on the system and project.

However, working in silos means those planning and delivering interventions may not consider potential wider effects, which could mean unanticipated changes, such as for energy demand or value chains.

As the interconnectivity of different components is key, systems thinking can only achieve its potential if more decisionmakers across the built environment sector are committed to making it happen. More effectively joining the dots between infrastructure systems, like power, buildings and water, can achieve more integrated solutions and positive impact. Through NISTA’s support, Connect to Change will help the infrastructure industry to collaborate to make this possible.

Supporting and delivering better outcomes

I’m pleased to read the insight Connect to Change brings, as my colleagues and I are already seeing the difference systems thinking can make and we’re excited to engage more widely on its use for projects.

With Transport for London, Mott MacDonald is using systems thinking to engage with other organisations who play an essential role in its transport systems, like London’s boroughs and utilities. This engagement enabled a more robust assessment of climate risk for London’s transport system and the potential impact on its outcomes, enabling collaborative and coordinated action to address it.

For the Greater London Authority (GLA), Mott MacDonald supported development of an Integrated Water Management Strategy in East London, which demonstrated the opportunities for joined up water management to improve overall efficiency and resilience. The GLA praised the project, saying that “creating the evidence base by being able to quantify system interdependencies and trade-offs was game-changing.”

Mott MacDonald is also supporting the wider infrastructure sector to adopt systems thinking and realise its benefits. The recent publication of a Net Zero Infrastructure Industry Coalition report –  Think Systems –  provides practical guidance for planning and implementing systems thinking. The step-by-step report demystifies the process and shows that systems thinking doesn’t need to be hard.

I congratulate the leaders of this report and was delighted to contribute alongside peers across our industry. I hope you see the same exciting possibilities when reading it.

Without systems thinking, the built environment sector risks failing to achieve maximum value to society from the assets the sector designs, delivers and maintains. By collaborating more effectively and considering the entire system, the sector can deliver value, achieve better outcomes, and address the challenges shared across society.