Mastering systems thinking in practice
Mastering systems thinking in practice is a self-paced online course delivered by The Open University (OpenLearn). It is free, takes about 24 hours, and awards a digital badge and statement of participation (free).
FreeChecked on 7 October 2026
- Relevance to work
- 1.8 / 3
- Cost and access
- 2 / 2
- Provider
- 2 / 2
- Credential
- 1.5 / 1.5
- Currency
- 0.45 / 1.5
- Total
- 7.8 / 10
Provider learner rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 44 ratings on OpenLearn course page, as at 2026-10-07
Key facts
| Cost | FreeFree. Free statement of participation and Open University digital badge on completion. Free OpenLearn account needed. |
|---|---|
| Time | 24 hours (provider stated) |
| Level | Advanced |
| Format | self-paced online |
| Prerequisites | none |
| Credential | digital badge and statement of participation (free) |
| Open to | Worldwide |
| Free in | Worldwide |
| Content written for | Any country |
| Last checked | 2026-10-07 |
Topics:Judgement and decisionsPeople leadership
Things to know
- Last updated by the provider in 2019
- Best taken after an introductory course
- Module names are summarised from the provider's stated outcomes
Summary
A 24-hour badged Open University course for people who want to use systems thinking seriously at work. It covers framing complex situations, defining the system of interest, working with several perspectives at once and turning systems ideas into practice.
Why it's listed
Builds Systems thinking, number 10 on the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2025 core skills list.
Also supports Analytical thinking.
From the course: Outcomes on framing complex situations and defining systems of interest
See how the AI Adaptation Profile treats Systems thinkingYou will be able to
- Frame a complex situation before trying to fix it
- Define a system of interest
- Work with multiple perspectives on the same problem
- Apply systems ideas in your own practice
Modules
- Framing complex situations
- Defining systems of interest
- Working with multiple perspectives
- Putting systems thinking into practice
Who it suits
Managers, analysts and project leads who already know the basics and want to apply systems thinking to real problems.
Who is behind it
- Delivered by
- The Open University
- Hosted on
- OpenLearn (open.edu/openlearn)
- Funded by
- Not stated
- Partners
- Not stated
Related courses
Questions
Yes. It is free for anyone, anywhere in the world. Free. Free statement of participation and Open University digital badge on completion. Free OpenLearn account needed. Checked 7 October 2026 against the provider's own page.
The Open University Mastering systems thinking in practice takes about 24 hours.
Yes. The Open University awards a free digital badge and statement of participation for The Open University Mastering systems thinking in practice.
The Open University Mastering systems thinking in practice is best for managers, analysts and project leads who already know the basics and want to apply systems thinking to real problems.
ApplyAI rates The Open University Mastering systems thinking in practice 3.9 out of 5. Best for managers, analysts and project leads who already know the basics and want to apply systems thinking to real problems. Watch for: Last updated by the provider in 2019.
Sources
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