Certainly!

Here is a set of questions designed to help you view a problem as a system and consider the
five characteristics of systems (Openness/Boundaries, Emergent Properties, Interrelationship,
Multidimensional, and Purposeful):

1. **Openness/Boundaries:**

- What are the boundaries of the system we are examining?

- Are there any external factors or influences that impact the system?

- How do these boundaries affect the flow of information or resources within the system?

2. **Emergent Properties:**

- What are the unique properties or behaviors that arise from the interactions within the system?

- How do these emergent properties impact the overall functioning of the system?

- Can we identify any unexpected or unintended consequences that emerge from these interactions?

3. **Interrelationship:**

- What are the key components or elements within the system?

- How do these components interact with each other?

- Are there feedback loops or dependencies that influence the behavior of the system?

4. **Multidimensional:**

- What are the different dimensions or aspects of the problem or system?

- How do changes in one dimension affect other dimensions of the system?

- Are there trade-offs or conflicts between different dimensions that need to be addressed?

5. **Purposeful:**

- What is the purpose or goal of the system?

- Are there clear objectives or desired outcomes that the system is designed to achieve?

- How do the actions and decisions within the system align with its purpose?
6. **Feedback and Adaptation:**

- Does the system have mechanisms for feedback and adaptation in response to changing conditions?

- How does the system learn and evolve over time?

- Are there opportunities to improve the system's ability to adapt and achieve its purpose?

7. **Resource Flows:**

- What resources (e.g., information, energy, materials) are essential for the system's operation?

- How are these resources acquired, distributed, and utilized within the system?

- Are there bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the flow of resources that need to be addressed?

8. **Stakeholders and Perspectives:**

- Who are the stakeholders involved in or affected by the system?

- What are their perspectives, interests, and roles within the system?

- How do these diverse perspectives influence decision-making and outcomes?

9. **Temporal Considerations:**

- How does time play a role in the behavior of the system?

- Are there historical trends or future projections that impact the system?

- What are the short-term and long-term implications of decisions within the system?

10. **Ethical and Sustainability Considerations:**

- What ethical principles should guide the operation of the system?

- How can the system be designed to promote sustainability and minimize negative impacts on the
environment and society?

- Are there ethical dilemmas or trade-offs that need to be addressed?

By asking these questions and considering the characteristics of systems, you can gain a more holistic
understanding of a problem or situation and develop more effective strategies for addressing it.
Certainly! Here's a set of questions that combine the five characteristics of systems
(Openness/Boundaries, Emergent Properties, Interrelationship, Multidimensional, and Purposeful) with
the three Cs (Component, Connection, and Context) to guide you in viewing a problem as a system:

**1. Components (Component):**

- What are the key components or elements within the system, and how do they relate to the
problem?

- How do these components contribute to the overall functioning of the system?

- Are there any missing or overlooked components that are essential to understanding the problem?

**2. Connections (Connection and Interrelationship):**

- How are the components of the system interconnected or interrelated in the context of the problem?

- Are there feedback loops or causal relationships between components that influence the problem?

- How do these connections amplify or mitigate the impact of the components on the problem?

**3. Context (Context and Openness/Boundaries):**

- What is the broader context in which the system operates, and how does it affect the problem?

- Are there external factors, boundaries, or constraints that shape the system's behavior and impact
the problem?

- How open or closed is the system with respect to influences from its context, and how does this
openness impact the problem?

**4. Emergent Properties (Emergent Properties):**

- What are the emergent properties or behaviors that result from the interactions of components
within the system in the given context?

- How do these emergent properties contribute to or hinder the resolution of the problem?

- Can we identify any unexpected emergent properties that are relevant to the problem?

**5. Multidimensionality (Multidimensional):**

- What are the different dimensions or aspects of the problem and the system?
 - How do changes in one dimension (e.g., social, economic, environmental) affect other dimensions
within the system?

- Are there trade-offs or synergies between different dimensions that need to be considered in
addressing the problem?

**6. Purpose (Purposeful):**

- What is the overarching purpose or goal of the system in the context of the problem?

- How do the actions and decisions within the system align with its purpose, and are there any conflicts
or deviations?

- Can adjustments to the system's purpose or goals lead to more effective problem-solving?

**7. Stakeholders and Perspectives (Context):**

- Who are the stakeholders within the system, and how do their perspectives and interests influence
the problem?

- What role do different stakeholders play in the system, and how do their interactions impact the
problem?

- Are there conflicting or converging interests among stakeholders that need to be managed in the
problem-solving process?

**8. Temporal Considerations (Context):**

- How does time factor into the behavior of the system and the evolution of the problem?

- Are there historical trends or future projections that are relevant to understanding and addressing the
problem?

- What is the time horizon for addressing the problem, and how might it impact decision-making?

**9. Resource Flows (Component and Connection):**

- What resources (e.g., information, financial, human) are essential for the system's operation and the
problem at hand?

- How are these resources acquired, distributed, and utilized within the system, and how do they
connect components?

- Are there resource bottlenecks or inefficiencies that affect the problem-solving process?
**10. Ethical and Sustainability Considerations (Context and Purposeful):**

- What ethical principles should guide the operation of the system in the context of the problem?

- How can the system be designed to promote sustainability and minimize negative impacts on the
environment and society, aligning with its purpose?

- Are there ethical dilemmas or trade-offs that need to be addressed in resolving the problem?

By considering these questions, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of a problem as a

system, taking into account both its structural and contextual aspects. This holistic perspective can
inform more effective problem-solving and decision-making processes.