Systems Thinking Vocabulary

Abstraction laddering

A way of reconsidering a problem statement by broadening or narrowing its focus

Quote
“If we have our own Why in Life, We shall get along with almost any How.” Daniel Stillman

Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement

Concept Coordinates

  • Abstraction Laddering provides a template for considering a given challenge statement at different levels of focus. When you are seeking more visionary solutions, it can help to step back and look at the issue more broadly. Moving up the ladder by asking Why? allows you to expand the scope of your inquiry. (LUMA Institute)
  • Abstraction laddering gives a different interface for the conversation between whywhat and how. Instead of placing why at the center, it puts what at the center. Most of the time we come together to talk about something, not some whyWhy and how, abstract and concrete goals, are placed at the top and the bottom of the ladder, in dynamic tension. (Daniel Stillman – Abstraction Laddering: the most fundamental problem-framing tool ever)
  • With the Abstraction Laddering template, you can find new ideas as a group, whether you are physically together in a meeting or working remotely. The ladder visually represents your problem. Climbing up the ladder is all about answering the question “why?”. This involves defining increasingly broad and conceptual goals. The second step, going down the ladder invites you to answer the question “how?”, which encourages you to look for more specific and concrete solutions. (Klaxoon)

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