Similar terms from literature: [[Previous Versions/Version 2/4 - concepts/systemic thinking]], [[Previous Versions/Version 2/4 - concepts/interconnected thinking]], [[Previous Versions/Version 2/4 - concepts/holistic thinking]] Systems thinking is the process of understanding how various systems influence one another within a complete entity (or larger system). Systems exist everywhere you look. In nature, for example, air, water, plants, and animals work together as systems within a larger ecosystem. In organizations, systems include people, planning, processes, and performance. In healthy organizations, these four systems work together in alignment toward common goals. In unhealthy organizations, systems are separated in silos that are – at best – uninformed by the others, and – at worst – competing with each other.