Systems and Complexity Science Geek (PhD) // AE Australian Journal of Rural Health // Love working with great people @UQHealth @SQRuralhealth ARC DECRA
πβ¨ I am delighted to share that new systems model building and analysis software is now available! The Qualitative Systems Exploration Model (QSEM) software enhances our ability to derive actionable insights from systems models, Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs), Group Model Building, and participatory activities! πβ¨
After years mapping, applying, and testing complex systems models in health, sport, safety, transport, and beyond, I noticed an opportunity to enhance qualitative methods.
We can create CLDs and other systems models that lead to valuable conversations with researchers and stakeholders, but turning those insights into actionable strategies that shift the system? Thatβs where things can get tricky...!
To bridge that gap, I built QSEM. It keeps the openness and collaboration of systems thinking, co-design, and modelling while introducing:
β Novel metrics
β Real-time progress updates
β Flexible weighting systems
β Exciting interactive visuals
β Thematic classification and coding
β Subsystem frames
β Key loops of interest
β 3D exploratory views
β The ability to collaborate on the same model with easy file sharing
The new user-friendly software is designed to give teams more confidence in their decisions by:
β Applying quantitative approaches to non-simulated systems models (such as CLDs) to extract deeper, more actionable insights
β Taking a novel approach to quantifying factors and relationships using impact and control values; it's easy to use, you can build a CLD in situ with stakeholders and explore model elements in real time
β Finding and scoring key factors and feedback loops for strength, speed, and relative independence
β Combining control and influence to focus on whatβs both important and within governance reach
If you want to explore systems within sleek software and gain new insights using a novel method, see what QSEM can do for you!
*note*: yes please do "request access" to QSEM at login after "launch" π loads of new requests & interest wow (!!) thank you to this great enthusiastic community, & please share with others if useful, best, AH π
π https://t.co/7mIsDHIWYW
#SystemDynamics #SytemsThinking #CommunityEngagement #ParticipatoryModeling #PolicyModeling #ComplexSystems
π’ Thrilled to share that Iβll be presenting a new framework called the Qualitative Systems Exploration Model (QSEM) at the International System Dynamics Conference this year (#ISDC2025)! π This 3-phase approach integrates with Group Model Building (GMB) protocols and helps bridge the gap between research and practice using semi-quantitative methods in hashtag #systemsthinking.
Are you interested in π
β Enhancing decision-making in complex systems?
β Identifying potentially effective novel policies?
β Getting the most from complex models?
β Improving performance and safety in various systems?
Then this might be for you. π
What is QSEM? Many complex models, like Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs), often stop at the point of being βinteresting picturesβ, and researchers and practitioners want more from their models - insights, leverage, action, policy-change. This is really hard & a big ask under a qualitative paradigm without doing fully-fledged SD simulations π§ . We've tried to help here with the 3-phases:
πΉPhase 1: System Factor Classification (SFC)
Uses expert weightings and/or data to identify key factor types in the system and maps them on a dynamic 4-quadrant influence diagram that updates in real time.
πΉPhase 2: Loops of interest (LOI)
Feedback Loops are prioritised based on strength, independence, and the inclusion of key factor types from Phase 1. A novel Dynamic Loop Register (DLR) helps participants modify parameters, refresh results, and explore a complex model interactively.
πΉPhase 3: Archetype identification & analysis
Participants work through a System Archetypes Ladder to identify and analyse feedback patterns, moving from theory to real-world application.
Why it matters? In complex policy spaces, transport, health, climate, food systems β QSEM attempts to turn collective wisdom into a traceable reasoning. Stakeholders can map complexity, debate it, adjust it, and hopefully own it!
Please contact me for more information, and I'll happily share more details of the presentation nearer the time, plus resourcesπ QSEM comes with a Technical Guide to help its application.
Duncan Radley Andrew Brown Jefferson Rajah Birgit Kopainsky Loes Crielaard Harriet Koorts James Nobles / @leedsbeckett / @Deakin / @UiB / @amsterdamumc / @UQHealth
SQRH
@systemdynamics_
π¨ Hot off the press π¨: Evaluating the use of Systems Thinking Methods in healthcare practice. Thanks to Brandon King, Gemma Read, and Paul Salmon alongside QLD Health for a great project! @UniSC@UQHealth π
https://t.co/6RT0llm1ID
@mariamichail2@orygen_aus@BrainMind_Usyd @MSCActions @JoRobinson_Aus @JM_Occhipinti @dr_waring @Lamb_Mich Awesome stuff Maria a lot of effort clearly went into this for a top result in an important area kudos will read AHππ
π¨ Officially online! PhD Scholarship opportunity at the University of Queenslandπ¨π"Using systems science to understand how climate change will impact Australiaβs health workforce". Apply π
https://t.co/xqbVcauAfU
@UQHealth @SQRuralhealth
"The prizes are open to staff currently employed at a UDRH and who have been employed for 12 months or more at their current UDRH and are residents in the region where their UDRH operates".
@DrJoshDenham@DrDeanMills@Bryan_lab_CMRI@unisqaus Terrific, well-written & appears there's huge potential from what you're saying about the specific role of exercise in cancer, and targeted therapies into the future. Keep it up Josh & team πkudos AH