How to Find Systems Thinkers

The problems associated with increasing complexity continue to impose challenges in understanding and managing complex system problems and thus, there is an emerging need to identify individuals who are capable of dealing with modern systems. At a fundamental level, systems thinking can offer new ways of thinking ‘systemically’ to effectively deal with the complex problems faced by many professionals. There is a lack of research-based instrument(s) in the literature that identify individuals’ fitness for systems thinking. This paper introduces the development of a systems thinking instrument that identifies individuals capacity for systems thinking and determines their inclination in treating complex system problems across domains. This instrument can also be used to distinguish where a university curriculum (or a corporate training program) excels at producing systems thinkers and where it may be lacking.