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

# The Systemic Intervention Approach

## Details

**Authors** Midgley G

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-24

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Systems Science

**Reading level** technical

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.000050) 
10.54120/jost.000050

## In authors' words

### Abstract

This paper presents a systemic intervention methodology that starts with boundary critique: exploring different boundaries and values that might matter to stakeholders when framing the purposes of an intervention. Boundary critique helps people develop an enhanced understanding of the situation being addressed, and it focuses attention on dealing with conflict and marginalization. Systemic intervention also offers a theory and practice of methodological pluralism: creatively mixing methods from a diverse range of methodological sources in response to the initial boundary critique, so systemic improvements can be designed. This creative mixing of methods yields a much more flexible and responsive approach than might be possible with a narrower range of methods. The value of a systemic intervention approach is illustrated through several practical examples.

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

A chapter presenting Gerald Midgley's systemic intervention methodology: boundary critique first, then a creative mix of methods chosen in response to it.

### What they found (results)

Exploring the boundaries and values that matter to stakeholders surfaces conflict and marginalization, and methodological pluralism makes the practice more flexible and responsive — illustrated through several real interventions.

## Commentary

### In short

Presents Gerald Midgley's systemic intervention approach, which starts with boundary critique and then mixes methods to design improvements.

### 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** D, P

## Refers to

- [Handbook of Systems Thinking](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/382)
- [Response to paper “Systems thinking” by D. Cabrera et al.:: The unification of systems thinking: Is there gold at the end of the rainbow?](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/117)

**How to cite this** Midgley G (2023). The Systemic Intervention Approach. Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-24.