Our Approach

Success Works approach is based on an understanding that we live in a complex world.We avoid reductionist thinking and use two main approaches which recognise and respond to complexity:

• Systems Thinking
• Strengths Focus

Systems Thinking

Systems thinking is an holistic approach which focusses on the interrelationships within a system and the context of that system. We believe that systems are best understood when the relationships between the various elements within them and with other systems are identified. The only way to fully understand why an outcome occurs and persists is to understand the parts of the system in relation to the whole. We use a range of tools to uncover the underlying systems and their interconnection, including Project Logic, Socio-Ecological Analysis, Theory U and Causal Loops. We reflect our systems approach in the way we approach our work and in our reports and summaries.

A Focus on Strengths

In a complex world, where many things are true that may also be contradictory, the starting point for determining future directions is to establish what is already working well. We assist organisations to identify ‘what works’ and support them to build on their strengths. This approach recognises that there is no ‘one way’ in which things can or should be done. Rather, different organisations and different systems have diverse strengths and starting points and, to be successful, they should build on what they are already doing well and do more of that more often. There is an increasing body of evidence that shows that we only overcome our challenges and problems by using our strengths. In undertaking this work we use Appreciative Inquiry and other strengths based approaches.