Critical Systems Thinking

7Critical Systems Practice 3 – Intervene Flexibly

The test of a first‐rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.

(Fitzgerald, 1936)

7.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses Intervene, the third stage of Critical Systems Practice (CSP). It considers how best to execute a multimethodological intervention in accordance with the agreement reached about which systems approaches are best suited to addressing the primary issues of interest. The discussion starts with a reminder of where we are in the EPIC cycle and the need to remain flexible during Intervene. The process of conducting Intervene, being true to its pluralist intent while also respecting situational constraints, is examined. Examples are provided which illustrate the Intervene process and highlight the need for flexibility. The potential theoretical problem that ‘paradigm incommensurability’ poses to multimethodological practice is examined. CSP’s adoption of pragmatism as an underpinning philosophy provides the way forward.

7.2 Intervene – Preliminaries

I have emphasised the need to adhere to the philosophy and principles of CST at each stage of a CSP intervention. The main problem at the Intervene stage is to remain true to CST’s commitment to systemic pluralism. Intervene is guided but not determined by the nature of the primary and secondary issues surfaced by Explore and the appropriate intervention strategy agreed on during ...