9 Windows

9 Windows refers to a conceptual framework and tool used in systems thinking and design. Developed by Graham Christenson, it provides a multi-perspective approach for understanding and analyzing complex systems. It involves viewing the system under investigation across three dimensions: Perspectives (Actor, Observer, System), Levels (System, Process, Environment), and Temporal Scales (Past, Present, Future).

The "windows" are generated by the combinations of these dimensions, resulting in a 3x3 matrix representing nine distinct perspectives on the system. Each "window" encourages exploration of specific questions and considerations:

• Past-System-Actor: Considers the history of the system from the actor's perspective. What past events have shaped the system for this actor?
• Past-System-Observer: Considers the history of the system from an observer's perspective. What past events have shaped the system as a whole?
• Past-System-System: Considers the system's own historical development and origins. How did the system come into being?
• Present-Process-Actor: Focuses on the actor's current activities and processes within the system. What is the actor doing now?
• Present-Process-Observer: Focuses on the ongoing processes and interactions within the system from an external viewpoint. What processes are happening in the system?
• Present-Process-System: Focuses on the current state and functioning of the system itself. How is the system operating currently?
• Future-Environment-Actor: Considers the actor's potential future and how the broader environment might influence them. What is the actor's desired future, and what environmental factors might affect it?
• Future-Environment-Observer: Considers potential future scenarios for the system within its environment. What are possible future states of the system and its environment?
• Future-Environment-System: Considers the long-term sustainability and evolution of the system within its environment. How can the system adapt and thrive in the future?

By systematically exploring each of these windows, users can gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the system, identify potential leverage points for intervention, and design more effective solutions. The 9 Windows framework is often used in strategic planning, problem-solving, and organizational development. It encourages holistic thinking and consideration of multiple viewpoints, preventing narrow or biased interpretations of complex situations.