[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Systems Scribing: An Emerging Visual Practice

## Details

**Authors** Bird K, Riehl J

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-18

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Arts & Humanities

**Reading level** intermediate

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.0000034) 
10.54120/jost.0000034

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Systems scribing is a visual practice that combines scribing—visually representing ideas while people talk—with systems thinking. This is a new, tangible approach to representing dynamics, occurring in the moment and over time, between the scribe and a social body. Learning experiments have been conducted in educational settings, workshops, and client programs. These experiments have demonstrated to the authors that this is a challenging practice because it is difficult to combine two unique specialties without a thorough knowledge of each. Yet the complexity of our times calls for individuals to, literally, see themselves in a common picture. Sitting at a juncture between art and science, systems scribing is uniquely poised to meet this need. The practice is in its infancy, though, and will need to gain traction in use to test its true potential.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A paper introducing systems scribing: visually representing ideas in real time as people talk, combined with systems thinking.

### What they found (results)

The practice is demanding — it joins two whole specialties — and still in its infancy, but it sits at a juncture of art and science uniquely poised to let groups literally see themselves in a common picture.

## Commentary

### In short

Describes systems scribing, which combines live visual note-taking with systems thinking.

### Response

Published in the Handbook of Systems Thinking (Cabrera, Cabrera & Midgley, eds., 2023), a volume built on the premise that systems thinking now has a universal theory—DSRP-484. Its contents were selected on that basis by its editorial team in concert with a team of advisors.

**Patterns it shows** R, P

## Refers to

- [Handbook of Systems Thinking](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/382)

**How to cite this** Bird K, Riehl J (2023). Systems Scribing: An Emerging Visual Practice. Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-18.