Novel Notes

Encountering unknowns and knowns - TB871 Block 1 (People)

Novel Notes — Wed, 21 May 2025 07:45:16 GMT

Getting familiar with the inevitability of unknowns in complex and messy situations within which we practice systemically.

Systems and Strategies - TB871 Block 1 (Tools)

Novel Notes — Wed, 21 May 2025 05:58:30 GMT

Exploring how systems and strategies are related, and some of the different approaches and perspectives that bring them together.

Using AI for my Systems Thinking studies

Novel Notes — Mon, 12 May 2025 11:49:02 GMT

How I use AI for my postgraduate studies, and why it is so bad at bibliographies.

Learning Systems for Improvement of Inclusive Practice

Novel Notes — Sat, 10 May 2025 17:38:37 GMT

I designed a learning system as part of my process of learning systems.

Not managing change: My misbehaving brain - TB872 Part 03 Week 15-17

Novel Notes — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 17:28:48 GMT

This blog post is a bit of a ramble and a rant. I discuss my current struggles as a student. If you would like to only read about the content of my studies, please go ahead to the next post, bearing in mind that my interpretations of that content were produced in the context outlined below. - Since completing my second tutor-marked assignment (TMA), I have lost steam a little, overwhelmed by university work in this final part of the TB872 module. I passed the TMA and was initially optimistic...

Systemic Inquiry towards a Learning System of Interest - TB872 Part 02 Week 13

Novel Notes — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

In Part 2.5.1 ( Taking a design turn in your practice ) of the TB872 module for Managing Change with Systems Thinking in Practice , we further develop the 'learning contract' that we started working on in Part 1 of the module, amending it to conceptualise our current stage of learning and to demonstrate the 'design turn' we have taken in managing change in a situation of concern. The references in this post to Professor Ray Ison and the module material are either from TB872 (Ison and...

Framing in Systemic Inquiries with the Juggler - TB872 Part 02 Week 11-12

Novel Notes — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:00:00 GMT

While reading Systems Practice: How to Act (in situations of uncertainty and complexity in a climate-change world (Ison, 2017) to accompany my study of TB872 Managing Change with Systems Thinking in Practice , I am simultaneously developing my understanding of Systems Thinking concepts as described in the provided literature, and developing my Systems practice capability by learning how to apply Systems Thinking in practice (STiP). There are limitations to my ability to engage in Systems...

Systems Practice: Being, Engaging, Contextualising, Managing - TB872 Part 2 Week 10

Novel Notes — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Exploring the BECM heuristic and the Juggler isophor for understanding my past and present practice with Systems Thinking.

Relational Dynamics, Values and Worldview Clashes - Exploring Systems Practice - TB872 Part 2 Week 8-9

Novel Notes — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 15:56:39 GMT

...The transition from ‘being’ systemic to ‘doing’ Systems encompasses all the ‘balls’ juggled by an aware systems practitioner—Being, Engaging, Contextualising, Managing.

Setting up a systemic inquiry for a situation of concern - TB872 Part 02 Week 07

Novel Notes — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 19:57:49 GMT

Planning my systemic inquiries for developing my Systems Thinking in Practice (STiP) capabilities and the process of managing change in a situation of concern.

Stories and Systemic Inquiries - TB872 Part 02 Week 06

Novel Notes — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:09:15 GMT

Looking for situations in which I could see myself taking purposeful action to manage change using STiP...

Exploring Social Learning Systems - TB872 Part 01 Week 04

Novel Notes — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 08:00:00 GMT

Thinking about how to manage change in systems with multiple stakeholders...

Thinking about Systems for Inclusivity - TB872 Part 01 Week 03

Novel Notes — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:00:00 GMT

In week 3 of TB872 Managing Change with Systems Thinking in Practice , we examine our own systemic sensibility, literacy and capability. We are encouraged to appreciate relational as well as linear cause-and-effect thinking, so that we can become stronger at using both systemic and systematic thinking whenever it is appropriate. In the book Systems Practice: How to Act , Ray Ison (2017) talks about an exercise where participants are asked to describe the process by which walking happens as a...

TB872 Part 01 Week 02 Review

Novel Notes — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:03:18 GMT

In week two of module TB872 Managing Change with Systems Thinking in Practice , we continue to look at our own experiences with managing change, practice identifying features of systems and effective systemic change, and look further into how we can utilise reflexive practice to engage with situations of concern. I thought about a recent personal situation of change and how I managed it, looking for ways that I may have applied systems thinking despite not having the language to describe it...

Analysing Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows — Book Summary & Review

Novel Notes — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:00:00 GMT

This was the first book I read on the topic of systems thinking, and it served as a great introduction to the basics of systems analysis from the viewpoint of a renowned and respected system dynamics practitioner.

Managing Change with Systems Thinking in Practice - TB872 Part 01 Week 01

Novel Notes — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 18:36:01 GMT

My first week of study with the TB872 Managing Change with STiP module involved quite a lot of self-reflection as we considered our roles in systems practice.

Introduction to Systems Thinking in Practice

Novel Notes — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:50:41 GMT

This summer, I took a spontaneous leap into the (somewhat) unknown by signing up to study for a degree at The Open University, after having completed a couple of short courses the previous year that left me feeling inspired and intrigued. The first was the Lean Organisation Management course by Learning Curve. I took the course to improve my knowledge of business management and to update my CV. Although the study process itself may not have been the most engaging, I finished with an interest...

Future Plans and a Christmas Clearout ❄ Why this sustainable stationery shop is closing down

Novel Notes — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:18:08 GMT

Find out why Novel Notes is planning to close down the website and how you can continue to follow and shop with Novel.

Kingswood Arts Signage Design

Novel Notes — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:53:49 GMT

Navigational and informational signage design project by Alex Makes for Kingswood Arts CIC, showcasing the non-profit’s brand and offerings whilst clearly directing visitors to the historical Kingswood House where the organisation is based.

Your search for fountain pen friendly 100% recycled paper is over!

Novel Notes — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:33:20 GMT

Have you ever seen 100% recycled paper that is suitable for fountain pens? See how Novel Notes eco-friendly paper fared in pen tests (spoiler: it's amazing!)