Why Good Fixes Fail in Sustainable IT: A System Archetypes Workshop
Many sustainability challenges in IT don’t fail because of a lack of technology—but because of recurring system patterns that quietly undermine good intentions.
In this interactive workshop, we introduce system archetypes—common feedback structures that explain why well-meant fixes often backfire, stall, or create new problems. Using a simple causal loop lens, we will explore the archetype "Fixes that Fail" in depth and practice applying it to real sustainable IT challenges (e.g. efficiency gains, digital optimization, rebound effects, short-term fixes).
The goal is not to turn you into a systems modeler, but to give you a practical mental tool: a way to recognize patterns early, ask better questions, and design interventions that hold up over time.
No prior systems thinking experience required.
What The Workshop Is About
Causal Loop Basics
System Archetype Introduction: Fixes that Fail
Archetype Practice & Discussion
Reflection & Everyday Use
What You’ll Take Away
A clear understanding of one core system archetype
The ability to spot early signals of structural failure
A reusable framework to think beyond quick fixes in sustainable IT
A shared language to discuss complexity with non-experts