Recommended.

This is not a hands-on programming manual – those seeking code snippets or immediate architecture recipes will need to look elsewhere. Instead, the value of Learning Systems Thinking lies in reframing how we approach complexity in software engineering problems. It fills an important niche for software professionals who recognize that the toughest challenges aren’t solved by code alone, but by thinking differently.

At the heart of the book is the contrast between nonlinear and linear thinking. Traditional software engineering education often teaches a linear, reductionist approach: break problems into parts, solve each piece, and assume the whole is the sum of its parts. This works for well-bounded technical problems, but Montalion points out it falls short in complex, dynamic systems. A linear mindset tends to isolate causes and effects, aiming for deterministic predictability. In contrast, systems thinking embraces the reality that software systems are nonlinear: outcomes emerge from interactions, feedback loops, and context, not just from individual components.

Montalion’s writing style is clear and engagingly earnest. She openly acknowledges that adopting a systems thinking approach is “invariably more difficult” than sticking to linear habits.

In terms of real-world usability, the concepts in Learning Systems Thinking are highly relevant to modern software development. A fictitious case study about a legacy publishing company (‘MAGO’) runs through the book, presenting realistic challenges and illustrating nonlinear approaches. Concepts such as maintaining conceptual integrity, shifting perspective, recognizing patterns, and embracing uncertainty are explored in depth, each reinforced by pragmatic ‘Support for Your Practice’ exercises. Notably, sketchnote illustrations (by Lisa Moritz) visually summarize each chapter’s key points, providing an engaging visual recap.

As Montalion writes, “We can’t design nonlinear systems with linear thinking... We need to think in systems”, neatly encapsulating the book’s central premise. I find that the book articulates many principles I’ve learned through experience, validating the importance of broad perspective and continuous learning.

Overall, it’s a thought-provoking guide for any software architect or developer willing to expand their thinking beyond the code.

Website: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/learning-systems-thinking/9781098151324/