How systems thinking can change the world
People often talk about “thinking like an engineer.” What they are often referring to is the way that engineers use systems thinking to approach complex problems. This involves taking the time to understand how different parts connect with and influence each other. Sometimes that means integrating different components – like bringing together electrical, mechanical and software elements to build an autonomous robot. It also means developing solutions that meet technical criteria, as well as social, environmental and economic criteria.
UBC Engineering students learn how to apply systems thinking to the real-world problems they are solving in their classes, capstone projects, co-op work terms and design teams. From day one, they learn how to make sure their solutions have a positive impact.
capstone projects co-op work terms design teams
Developing systems thinking skills
When you study engineering, you start developing your systems-thinking skills in your first year engineering design courses. You’ll learn how to consider multiple variables and constraints, learning first hand how changes to one element of a solution affect something somewhere else.
You’ll continue developing these skills over your degree, where you will work on increasingly complex challenges that will require you to integrate multiple elements (think back to the robotics example) and consider broader impacts (like a recent capstone project to develop a non-invasive way to test for malaria that does not require skilled labour or advanced facilities).
What systems thinking looks like in practice
Although engineering is traditionally taught by specific disciplines or programs – like civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical – there is actually a fair amount of overlap between them. Part of your training as a engineer is to learn how to integrate your work with that of engineers in other areas. Alum Cyric Li, for example, works as a systems integration engineer for Bombardier, stating “my job focuses on integrating electrical and software engineering and that I also need to know a lot about materials and mechanical joints.”
Another part of your training is to develop an understanding of the broader context within you are working. As described in the examples below, this means considering the social, environmental and economic context of your project.
When designing a stormwater management system, a civil engineer needs to think about rainfall patterns, soil absorption, urban growth, ecological impacts and long-term maintenance. To do their jobs well, civil engineers need a broad understanding of hydrology, urban planning and environmental issues.
A chemical engineer developing biofuels needs to address technical challenges, like choosing the most suitable feedstock and optimizing the conversion process.
They also need to understand the broader policy context and energy demand forecasts.
Materials engineers work at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, chemical and mining engineering.
Material choices affect everything from how a product is manufactured to the product’s sustainability. For example, a new lightweight composite might improve the fuel efficiency of a car, but it could be harder to recycle at its end of life than other materials.
A mining engineer designing a copper mine needs to consider the full cycle of the mining process,
from ensuring the company has consulted with Indigenous communities to designing the mine, integrating autonomous systems, ensuring energy supply, designing efficient processing, minimizing environmental impact, connecting with global supply chains and more.
Social and environmental contexts
What these examples show is that engineers are systems thinkers who know that technical solutions cannot be arrived at without considering the human, social and environmental context. UBC Engineering is at the forefront of integrating this kind of thinking into its curriculum (which is why we’re one of the world’s top-ranked universities when it comes to sustainability impact).
As a student here, you’ll learn about Indigenous reconciliation, designing for inclusion, the importance of policy and regulations, and much more.
Mentorship, community and inclusion define UBC Engineering
Systems thinking opens up opportunities
One of the many reasons that engineering is perhaps the most versatile undergraduate degree is that it teaches you to think in powerful ways. The true value of engineering is in its approach to solving problems within an understanding of the broader social context.
Learning the tools of design thinking and systems thinking sets you up to succeed, no matter which career you choose. A systems thinking approach is valued across industries and occupations, both in the engineering profession as well as in other fields – from management consulting to medicine.
Join us and discover your potential to be the kind of person you want to be.
