Dr. “Chick” Macal’s PrepTalk “Using Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking to Understand Community Interdependencies,” urges emergency managers to apply the principles of systems thinking to their work in preparedness and response. “We find that what is written down in the plans for organizational decision-making is completely different than what actually occurs in the … event of a disaster or emergency,” Dr. Macal said.
Systems thinking helps to expose hidden interdependencies of human behavior, critical infrastructure, and decision-making in today’s complex world. Dr. Macal is the Chief Scientist of Argonne National Laboratory’s Resilient Infrastructure Initiative.
Related Resources:
- Journal Article: “Adaptive Standard Operating Procedures for Complex Disasters”
- Course: “Complex Adaptive Systems for Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security” The University of Chicago
Discussion Materials
- Discussion Guide – Using Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking (.pdf)
- Facilitator Slides – Using Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking (.pptx)
PrepTalks are given by subject-matter experts and thoughts leaders to spread new ideas, spark conversation, and promote innovative leadership for the issues confronting emergency managers now and over the next 20 years. For more information and more talks, see https://www.fema.gov/preptalks