Activating Collective Impact Through Use of Systems Thinking

• In Event: Systems Thinking as a Solution to Failed Educational Reform Efforts

Abstract

Launched in 2014, Hōkūpaʻa is a multi-sector, multi-stakeholder initiative in West Hawaiʻi dedicated to improved educational and well-bring outcomes for youth ages 11 to 25. Faced with wicked problems (Rittel and Webber, 1973), Hōkūpaʻa was conceived with a collective impact framework (Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2011) bringing together expertise and capacities of multiple organizations in the community in a structured way to achieve social change. With agreed vision, Hōkūpaʻa struggled for two years residing in collective intent. Drawing from W. Edwards Deming's observation that education is characterized by miracle goals without methods, Hōkūpaʻa’s backbone organization integrated systems thinking principles and continuous systems improvement frameworks (e.g., improvement science) to design and implement activities to achieve systemic and systematic improvements and transformation.

Authors

• Richard Choe Seder, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Kei-Lin Cerf, University of Hawaii - Hilo