Our Course Catalog

    Online and live courses that are scientifically valid and people friendly.

    ST Step by Step v2

    Choose your own path with the engagement options below or take our recommended path...

    Learn Systems Thinking Step by Step

    We want to make learning scientifically-valid Systems Thinking straight forward and fun. After teaching these ideas to hundreds of thousands of students, we know that this five-step process is efficient and effective in creating GREAT systems thinkers. Best of all, you will be able to start applying what you learn to your most pressing challenges on Day 1.

    Online learning design you'll love

    9 Course Features People Love

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    Engaging Professors

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    Trusted Research

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    Mind Blowing Ideas

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    Professional Video Content

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    Hands On Activities

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    Practical Examples

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    Useful Tools

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    Live Support & Resources

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    Certificate of Completion

     

    Self-paced, Online, 4-6 hours

    Skills Courses

     

    101

    Deepen your understanding of the what, why, and how of systems thinking

    Systems Thinking 101 (ST101)

    To succeed and thrive in today’s increasingly interconnected world, the ability to understand complex systems, think fluidly, and solve complex problems is essential. Systems Thinking 101 (ST101) is a self-paced online course that provides concrete systems thinking tools you can apply to analyze complex situations. You’ll be able to integrate systems thinking concepts, principles, and practices to improve existing processes, operations, and thinking patterns. Based on their ground-breaking empirical research, Cornell University faculty, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera will guide you each step of the way toward a better understanding of how you think and how systems work and how you can better understand the complexities of the modern world.


    Online     |     5-6 hours     |     Work at your own pace     |     Highly interactive course     |     Access to Community Channel     |     Open enrollment     |     Prerequisite: none
    $99.99
     

     

    201

    Become proficient in systems mapping and learn to easily apply it to what you care about

    Systems Mapping 201 (SM201)

    Systems Mapping is an essential and deeply practical skill that makes Systems Thinking visible and tangible. Once you've been introduced to the basic concepts in Systems Thinking 101 (ST101) it's time to visualize it with Systems Mapping 201 (SM201). SM201 is a self-paced online course taught by Cornell University faculty, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera. In this course, you'll learn how to map any system, regardless of their level of complexity. Get ready to use hands-on examples in Plectica Systems Mapping software, allowing you to practice making beautiful and easily understandable maps. You'll learn skills that you can use in any software or medium including whiteboarding or on the back of a napkin. 


    Online     |     5-6 hours     |     Work at your own pace     |     Highly interactive course     |     Access to Community Channel     |     Open enrollment     |    Prerequisite: None. 101 recommended
    $99.99
     

     

    301

    Design, manage, and lead adaptive teams and organizations

    Systems Leadership 301 (SL301)

    To round out your experience in Systems Thinking (ST101) and Systems Mapping (SM201), you must learn how to apply these skills to your organization with Systems Leadership 301 (SL301). SL301 covers the specific skills and steps needed to design, manage, and lead adaptive organizations and teams and how to bring about cultural change. In this self-paced online course taught by Cornell University faculty, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera, you’ll learn how to build an effective vision, mission, capacity map, and learning systems in order to maximize the productivity and culture of your organization. Learn the systems approach to change management.


    Online     |     5-6 hours     |     Work at your own pace     |     Highly interactive course     |     Access to Community Channel     |     Open enrollment     |    Prerequisite: None. 101 and 201 recommended
    $99.99
     

     

    Give us 20 minutes, we'll teach you something that transforms your thinking

    Micro Courses with Micro Credentials

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    ST-DSRP Loop

    The Systems Thinking Loop ("ST Loop") is perhaps the most important of all the images because it describes WHAT systems thinking really is and HOW to do it. The net net: seek feedback from the real world to better align your mental models of systems with how those systems actually exist. This deepens your understanding of any issue, and leads to better solutions that address the problem.

     
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    Intro to Jigs

    Jigs are re-useable structures of knowledge and thinking that increase cognitive efficiency. Think of a jig as a common conceptual template that can be used over and over again in your thinking. Most folks tell us that jigs really help them do Systems Thinking. This intro to jigs is recommended before doing other jig micros.

     
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    P-Circle Jig

    A “P-circle” is a powerful cognitive template that simply reminds you to create a “circle of perspectives” around whatever issue, problem, or system you are interested in understanding better. P-circles are immensely useful for any number of problems and issues and therefore can be used to truly ‘see’ areas of agreement and disagreement to find common ground.

     
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    RDS Jig

    RDS stands for "Relationship-Distinction-System" and it's used to solve all kinds of problems from complex interpersonal social dynamics, to innovation, to silos in organizations. In essence, when looking at a system, we often focus on the nodes and ignore the lines (relationships) - systems thinkers examine the relationship (R) by naming it (D) and articulating its parts (S).

     
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    R-quad Jig

    An R-quad is a jig that is often used to understand the complexities of social interaction, especially when it is destructive or dysfunctional (although it could also be used for many technical or engineering systems as well). Want better relationships and social interactions? R-quad.

     
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    Part-Party Jig

    A Jig that helps us to relate the parts of a whole. Like a good party, the parts need to interact. A pervasive jig of all complex systems. Any good party involves interactions between the guests. Cognitive systems are no different--the parts must "part-ay"

     

     

    Cohort-based, LIVE Online

    Advanced Certifications

     

    500

    Advanced certification for practitioners

    Advanced Practitioner Certification (STML500)

    The Advanced Practitioner certification offers advanced applications of all of the concepts taught in the previous online trainings; it is highly interactive, hands-on, and cohort based. It is also taught LIVE online with peers in a cohort to work with and learn from. In addition, completion of the course, provides access to free resources, including slide decks you can adapt, and ongoing support as needed. Systems Trainer (STML500) Certification helps you:

    • Deepen your knowledge and build skills for leading systems thinking efforts in your organization;
    • Learn from experts and a community of peers; and
    • Apply systems thinking, mapping, and leadership to your context.

    Online LIVE    |     4 days (8 half-days or 32 hours)     |     Cohort based    |     Highly interactive course     |     Access to Community Channel     |     Enrollment is Selective     |    Prerequisites: ST101, SM201, SL301

    $2500.00
     

     

    900

    Expert certification for practitioners

    Master Practitioner Certification (STML900)

    The Master Practitioner certification centers around an advanced application of Systems Thinking (DSRP), Mapping and/or Leadership (VMCL) to a project of your interest. The goal is to produce an original contribution to our understanding of these ideas, but in a manner that leads to a tangible work product that is directly relevant to you. Some examples of final projects include: 1) Establishing a new non-profit that integrates different approaches to patient management and empowers patient's and their families to be better advocates during health crises; 2) creating a set of "micro-credentials" related to systems thinking and leadership for widespread use; 3) examining and articulating a new way to teach the Obeya Process (related to lean management) using VMCL; and 4) creating a new curriculum using Systems Thinking to better teach Economic Analyses. The time commitment is only 2 meetings a-month (one with Drs. Cabrera to focus on your specific project), and another with your cohort group to allow for peer input, and some additional materials to discuss as needed. The Black Belt takes between 6-12 months to complete, and is largely self-paced and driven by you with our intensive feedback and guidance.

    Online LIVE    |     Year-long Apprenticeship/Coaching Model     |     Rolling-Cohort based    |     Highly interactive course     |     Access to Community Channel     |     Enrollment is Selective     |    Prerequisite: STML500

    $7500.00
     

     

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    Recommended Packages

    101
    201
    301
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    3 Skills Courses Starter Package

    Develop your skills in systems thinking, mapping and leadership with this three course bundle. Normally priced at $300, this collection includes a 15% discount (a savings of $45.00) for a total of $254 on our most popular online courses. Discount code: SKILLS2022

     
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    301

    Starter++ Package (most popular)

    Our recommended package. Our customers have found that the best way to learn systems thinking is to get started with (1) a baseline personalized systems thinking inventory (STMI), (2) the three online, self-paced, skills courses, and (3) two desk-reference books that parallel the courses. 15% off  package of six items (normally $459) makes our six most popular items $390 (savings of $70.00). Discount code: GETSTARTED2022

     
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    Advanced Certification Package

    The advanced certification includes two live-online trainings with Drs. Laura and Derek Cabrera that result in CRL certification in Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Leadership (STML). Save $500 when you enroll in both courses. Discount code: ADVANCED2022

    ST Step by Step v2

    Want to learn Systems Thinking? Take our recommended path...

    Learn Systems Thinking Step by Step

    We want to make learning scientifically-valid Systems Thinking straight forward and fun. After teaching these ideas to hundreds of thousands of students, we know that this five-step process is efficient and effective in creating GREAT systems thinkers. Best of all, you will be able to start applying what you learn to your most pressing challenges on Day 1.

    Hundreds of thousands of students have taken our courses

    Here's What People Say

    matt

    These ideas are valuable at individual, team, and enterprise levels. 

    Matt Chadsey —Founder/Consultant, Nonlinear Ventures
    dave2

    I can already see these ideas having vast applicability. It should be core curriculum in business education.

    —Dave Silberman, Chief Development Officer, RedLeaf Ventures & Advanta Analytical Laboratories
    tomi

    It is a comprehensive, yet simple introduction. Even if I didn't continue on the certification process I have developed basic system thinking skills.

    —Tomi Schwandt, Political Science Instructor, Fort Hays State University
    matthew

    For someone new to systems thinking, the concepts covered here are less complicated than some training or books which jump quickly into concepts more akin to system dynamics.

    —Matthew Bellm, Manufacturing Training Specialist, Sterling Pharma Solutions
    noel

    301 makes the 201 and 101 courses even more worth doing. It's deep and gives a framework for organizational design that attends to aspects often overlooked.  Thank you!

    —Prashant Goel, Leadership Coach
    michelle

    This course was a great way to gain deeper knowledge to use VMCL inside organizations to improve culture and identify the mental models that exist inside the organization that may be contributing to organizations success or struggles.

    —Michelle Phelps, Founder, MBKP Consulting
    sean

    This course is structured and bite-size which makes it easier to fit into my work routine. It was a wonderful experience with useful learning that I can apply to my work and life.

    —Sean Lee, Director, Totus Learning Solutions
    troy

    These are great lessons to learn that can be applied to many disciplines or scales in your work and in your life.

    —Troy Duerr, Senior Operations Manager, E&J Gallo Winery