1.1. be able to recognize reductionist thinking, cause-and-effect thinking and systems thinking, and appreciate that each complements the other two.

1.2. be able to distinguish between narrow system of interest and wider system of interest.

1.3. recognize the boundary judgements.

1.4. appreciate that system definition is subjective.

2.1. be able to identify six elements of a problem description.

2.2. be able to identify the stakeholders of the problem situation.

2.3. be able to apply system identification rules for identifying inputs, outputs, and system elements.

3.1. be able to classify the complexity of the problem for a given problem situation.

3.2. be able to identify the appropriate systems approach (such as functionalist, interpretive or emancipatory) for a given problem situation, and distinguish between the issues of ‘what’ and ‘how’.

3.3. be able to perform the analysis steps in Chekland’s soft systems methodology.

3.4. Appreciate that for many problem situations, facts and values are not separable, but that what we see as facts and their interpretation depends on the worldviews and values.