Applying systems thinking models of organizational design and change in community operational research

In this article, we present a systems thinking approach to organizational design and change called VMCL (vision, mission, culture/capacity, learning) and describe different community applications to illustrate its theoretical and practical relevance to community operational research (Community OR). VMCL was developed to apply systems thinking and complexity theory to any situation that involves groups of people, such as organizations. Additionally, we elaborate a network-based theory of change called NFST (naysayers, fence-sitters, supporters, thought leaders) for implementing VMCL in any community context. We describe how VMCL was extensively applied to local grassroots movements involving community members, students, staff, teachers, school leaders, and board members to change US school districts. We then discuss the relevance and application of VMCL and NFST to community mobilization by a grassroots movement in Wisconsin, USA. We conclude by discussing the ways in which VMCL and NFST foster systemic Community OR, and how they are useful tools for community organizers and other practitioners.