Places to intervene in a system

Twelve leverage points ranked from weakest to strongest.

Donella Meadows's framework, from Thinking in Systems, pp. 166 to 209.

12. Numbers
Constants and parameters such as subsidies, taxes and standards.
11. Buffers
The sizes of stabilising stocks relative to their flows.
10. Stock-and-flow structures
Physical systems and their nodes of intersection.
9. Delays
The lengths of time relative to the rates of system change.
8. Balancing feedback loops
The strength of the feedbacks relative to the impacts they correct.
7. Reinforcing feedback loops
The strength of the gain of driving loops.
6. Information flows
Who does and does not have access to information.
5. Rules
Incentives, punishments and constraints.
4. Self-organization
The power to add, change or evolve system structure.
3. Goals
The purpose or function of the system.
2. Paradigms
The mind-set out of which the system arises.
1. Transcending paradigms
Staying unattached to any one worldview.

From chapter: Part Three: Creating Change - in Systems and in Our Philosophy, pp. 166–209

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