Wholesystems
Wholesystems is a term used in systems thinking to describe approaches that study or manage complex systems by focusing on the whole and the interactions among parts, rather than on components in isolation. It emphasizes boundaries, structure, and dynamics, including feedback loops, stocks and flows, and non-linear relationships. The concept draws on general systems theory and cybernetics and is applied across fields such as ecology, engineering, urban planning, public health, and organizational development. The central claim is that system behavior emerges from the network of interconnections and that boundary choices can shape outcomes as much as individual elements.
Key concepts in wholesystems thinking include defining system boundaries and scope, recognizing interdependencies, understanding feedback and
Benefits of the approach include a more comprehensive understanding of how actions propagate through a system,
See also: systems thinking, general systems theory, holistic design.