Systemic Design Exchange (SDX)
What is SDX?
SDX stands for Systemic Design Exchange.
SDX is an Edmonton-based community of practice that convenes individuals interested in learning about Systemic Design as a methodology for addressing complex, real world issues.
With a bias towards learning by doing, SDX aims to be a watering hole where multiple sectors can come together, learn together, and act together.
Together, SDX explores systems thinking, design thinking, and change lab approaches.
What is Systemic Design?
Systemic Design brings together systems thinking and design thinking.
Systemic Design is most useful when you are dealing with a complex, adaptive problem.
Complex problems are characterized by a low level of agreement on what the problem is and what might be the best way to address it. They are vague, messy, conflicting, changing, and full of uncertainty.
What is a Community of Practice?
A community of practice is a group of diverse people who come together to learn, share practices, and co-create knowledge around shared areas of interest. Informal communities of practice pop up in organizations around the water cooler, but when purposefully stewarded, they can become powerful, positive forces that help people navigate complex challenges together.
How can I get involved?
Anyone who shares our interest in getting better at systems thinking and design thinking in order to make progress on complex challenges can participate in SDX. If you’d like to get involved, contact us at sdxpractice@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @SDXCoP
Origins & Convening Team
SDX was founded in 2015 by Alberta CoLab and Action Lab. A partnership between government and community, the founders aimed to create a space for new connections and learning experiences as routes to accelerating change on our shared challenges. As the community has grown and changed over the years, so have the convenors. Today the community of practice is convened by Action Lab, the City of Edmonton, and J5 Design.
Upcoming SDX Events
Want to attend SDX? Check out our Eventbrite page for a list of upcoming events and workshops.
Resources
Interested in learning more about systemic design? Here are some resources we like to get you started.
Systemic Design exploration for improving public education systems
