ASQ RRD series webinar: The Enemies of System Thinking
Presenter: David Auda
Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
(UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
https://asq.webex.com/weblink/register/rff790a9705f140b136c65e63a5294185
Abstract:
System thinking offers a holistic framework for understanding complex, interconnected systems, emphasizing relationships and feedback loops rather than isolated components. However, its effective application faces significant challenges. The primary enemies of system thinking include cognitive biases that favor linear, reductionist approaches, organizational silos that fragment knowledge, and cultural inertia that resists change. Time and resource constraints, along with pressure for quick fixes, further undermine the adoption of systemic perspectives. These barriers lead to short-sighted decisions, overlooked interdependencies, and unintended consequences. This paper explores these obstacles, analyzes their impact on problem-solving and decision-making, and proposes strategies to overcome them—such as fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, promoting systems education, and embedding feedback mechanisms into organizational processes. By addressing these enemies, organizations can unlock the full potential of system thinking to navigate complexity and achieve sustainable outcomes.
Bio:
David is an ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer, Certified Quality Manager and ASQ Fellow who has worked in a wide variety of industries, to include but is not limited to sensitized products manufacture, energy generation, automotive design, heavy vehicle manufacture, aerospace, medical and high-volume consumable goods manufacture. David’s experience includes, but is not limited to, product design, instrumentation design, medical device design, aerospace systems design, information systems management, infrastructure network management, programming, etc. David has worked extensively in the areas of risk analysis, failure prevention, root cause analysis, problem solving, strategic planning and safety engineering as well as numerous other related disciplines. David has a BSEE from the Rochester Institute of Technology, with honors, Tau Beta Pi, and pursued his master level reliability studies at the RIT Center for Quality and Applied Statistics. David is a frequent presenter at international conferences and symposia, a competent speaker and validated ASQ trainer, delivering presentations and workshops on a wide variety of topics essential to the effective and efficient performance of Reliability and Quality practitioners. David’s most recent deployment was a Reliability and Maintainability Manager at Georgia Pacific’s Dixie works in Darlington South Carolina supporting their $350M+ expansion. David is presently semi-retired, providing consulting and training through a variety of channels.