Anticipating and Preventing Systemic Dysfunctions in Human Contexts

What is systemic dysfunction?

Systemic dysfunction occurs when a problem in one part of a system—whether a team, an organization, or a community—spreads and disrupts the whole. Think of a cascading failure: a misunderstanding in one team can stall a project, or a lack of coordination in a company can lead to financial losses. These dysfunctions often arise from complex dynamics, where the actions of each influence the others, sometimes in unpredictable ways.

The challenge is to identify these risks before they become critical. This requires understanding how individuals, their interactions, and their environment work together, while remaining attentive to signals that indicate a possible breaking point.

Why anticipation is essential

In a human context, dysfunctions are not always immediately obvious. Tension in a team may seem trivial, but if left unmanaged, it can escalate into major conflict. Anticipating means observing subtle clues—a decline in communication, work overload, conflicting objectives—and acting before these signals escalate into a crisis. This helps maintain balance, maintain cooperation , and avoid more serious consequences, such as a loss of trust or collective failure.

Anticipation does not seek to control everything, but to identify moments when targeted intervention can make a difference. It relies on active vigilance and an understanding of human dynamics, without waiting for problems to become unmanageable.

Keys to preventing malfunctions

Preventing systemic dysfunctions requires, above all, a structured and collaborative approach. Here are some fundamental principles:

1. Observe carefully : Dysfunctions often begin with weak signals, such as repeated misunderstandings or a drop in engagement. Paying attention to these clues can help identify risks early.

2. Understanding Interactions : Human systems are made of relationships. Understanding how individuals, teams, or departments interact helps identify points of friction or imbalances that could amplify a problem.

3. Act in a targeted manner : Once a risk has been identified, it's important to intervene precisely, without trying to disrupt everything. This may involve adjusting communication, task allocation, or clarifying objectives.

4. Adapt to the context : Every human group is unique. Solutions must take into account the specificities of the context – culture, objectives, constraints – to be effective and accepted.

5. Foster collaboration : Dysfunctions often thrive on a lack of coordination. Encouraging open cooperation, where everyone feels heard and involved, strengthens resilience in the face of risk.

Drawing inspiration from nature to better cooperate

Human dynamics can learn from natural systems, where cooperation is often the key to survival. For example, in nature, groups of animals adjust their behaviors to avoid danger, such as birds changing course together when faced with a predator. Similarly, in a human context, a team can learn to adjust its actions collectively to prevent a problem from escalating. This bio-inspired approach emphasizes simple, intuitive solutions that are adapted to practical realities, without assuming that everyone cooperates perfectly.

A pragmatic and accessible vision

Anticipating and preventing systemic dysfunctions doesn't require complex technologies or abstract theories. It's about adopting a vigilant stance, understanding human dynamics, and acting pragmatically. By remaining attentive to signals, valuing collaboration, and adjusting actions to the context, it's possible to maintain balance and strengthen the resilience of human groups in the face of risks.

In short, anticipating systemic dysfunctions means cultivating the ability to see ahead and act ahead – a simple yet essential approach for navigating an interconnected world.

Jean Bourdin, Founder of Pericology 2025, © all rights reserved