Solving the Problem of Not Having a Problem

INTRODUCTION

In this session, we aim to sharpen your critical thinking and strategic skills through an immersive experience with our Toilet Bullrun game. Designed to foster a shared understanding of complex problems, this game will help you identify and map opportunities for systemic change. By engaging in gameplay, you’ll gain insights into the intentions, behaviors, and consequences of different approaches, enhancing your ability to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.

GOALS

The primary goal of this workshop is to transcend the "us vs. them" mentality and highlight the importance of collaboration and interdependence. Our game encourages learning about effective outcomes for the community, promoting a mindset where progress and systemic improvement take precedence over flawless product solutions.

5 times Why?

This game aims to improve our understanding of our current system by asking "why" and "what if" questions. It prioritizes progress over flawless product solutions and focuses on enhancing the system as a whole. The key topics include:

1. Externalities; understanding the indirect effects of decisions.
2. System failures; identifying breakdowns, bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
3. Sustainability; focusing on long-term ecological and social health.
4. Leverage points; discovering where small changes can have significant impacts.
5. Not knowing; embracing uncertainty as a space for innovation.

From problem-solution thinking towards opportunity thinking!

NECESSARY MATERIALS

To participate fully, you’ll need:

1. Steep cards sets
2. System opportunity cirkels
3. A group of enthusiastic critical thinkers

PERSPECTIVES

1. Economic; valuing money and resources
2. Technical;  leveraging technology like blockchain
3. Environmental; seeing waste as a resource
4. Social: focusing on impact investing
5. Politics: navigating power and influence.                             

ACTIVITY

Our game will start with storytelling and a system setup presentation. You’ll then be posed with thought-provoking questions, and your responses will be time-stamped on colorful post-it notes. These notes will be placed on designated circles, creating a visual representation of collective thoughts.

HOW?

We prioritize design thinking and systems thinking, which:

●        Encourage expertise sharing

●        Acknowledge multiple simultaneous causes

●        Recognize interconnectedness

●        Focus on future-oriented outcomes

●        Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing

●        Start with the end goal in mind

WHAT?

We encourage you to:

1. Discovery habits and opportunity thinking Recognize and wonder about the system's workings. Apologize and reflect when necessary.
2. Opportunity thinking Think about what you want in place for the current situation.
3. Leverage thinking Consider what is needed for a better system. Improve the current “status”.

Lean

How do we improve our information flow? From a Lean perspective, we’ll discuss improving information flow with system thinking to reduce waste and enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Blockchain

Finding consensus over value and goals We’ll explore how blockchain technology can improve coordination, cooperation and communication towards the needs of the whole system.

Social

Strategies for a fair and equitable system benefiting the commons. Examine strategies for building a fair and equitable system that benefits the community through corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement.

Environmental

How to create a sustainable system that minimize human impact on ecosystems through eco-friendly practices.

Politics

How and who will make decisions?

System innovation

One of the key principles of system innovation is the concept of "system thinking," which involves considering the broader system in which businesses operate, identifying systemic problems, and creating sustainable, scalable, and adaptable solutions. It also involves understanding the archetypes and leverage points within the system to identify areas for improvement and create meaningful change. Another principle is "disruptive innovation," which involves identifying unmet needs and creating more efficient, effective, and user-friendly solutions that can disrupt existing systems and create new opportunities.