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Systems Thinking

The Work in Progress! (WiP) alliance is dedicated to equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century, secure meaningful employment, and earn sustainable wages. Operating primarily in Nigeria, Somaliland, and Egypt (though this specific project did not include Egypt), the alliance seeks to identify systemic challenges, key influencing factors, and untapped opportunities to create a more inclusive and resilient labor market.

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This initiative aimed to map the current system, uncover leverage points for change, and define a strategic direction to guide the future design of the WiP alliance’s programs. The outcome was a set of actionable insights and recommendations to strengthen the alliance’s long-term impact.

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My Role:

I co-facilitated the systems thinking workshop in Nigeria, bringing together diverse stakeholders to analyze the employment landscape, explore root causes of challenges, and co-develop pathways toward an ideal future. Through interactive exercises and collaborative discussions, we identified key interventions to enhance economic opportunities for young people.

Output

A systems thinking approach to inform a programme design focusing on the future of work.

Location

Nigeria & Somaliland

Date

2019

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The design challenge

Youth unemployment is a deeply complex issue, shaped by and interconnected with multiple aspects of society. Meaningful change cannot happen without first understanding the intricate web of factors, influences, and relationships that sustain the current system. This is why adopting a systems thinking approach was crucial—allowing us to visualize the root causes, ripple effects, and leverage points for transformation.

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The project began with a stakeholder meeting and an exploration lab, designed to identify the most promising areas for impact that align with the vision of the country teams. The exploration lab was a participatory research process in which stakeholders—drawing from their own lived experiences—investigated the challenges and opportunities within their communities.

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Building on these insights, we conducted a systems thinking workshop to synthesize the research findings and dive deeper into the structural dynamics at play. Together, we mapped out the systemic barriers and enablers that could either hinder or accelerate progress toward our shared vision for the future. Through collaborative analysis, we explored pathways for change, examined cross-sector innovations, and identified key intervention areas.​

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The outcome

The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including youth, educators, entrepreneurs, and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Employment, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to problem-solving. By incorporating multiple perspectives, we fostered a shared understanding of the systemic challenges and co-created pathways toward meaningful solutions.

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For each country, a visual system map was developed, highlighting key opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and leadership. During the workshop, this system map was made interactive and accessible, enabling participants to engage with it dynamically. Through visual storytelling and collective sense-making, stakeholders were able to identify leverage points and interdependencies within the system.

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Following the workshop, the insights were synthesised into a finalised system map, incorporating feedback loops, deep structures, and narratives that shape the employment ecosystem. The next phase engaged local offices in Somaliland and Nigeria, where teams reviewed their system maps, identified priority areas, and brought in additional partners to explore potential interventions and strategic collaborations. This process enabled a more context-specific and actionable approach, ensuring that proposed changes were rooted in local realities and aligned with long-term goals.

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