Biomatrix Methodology applies the organising principles of Biomatrix Systems Theory to the redesign of social systems and the dissolving of their complex problems.

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The generic steps involved in the re-design of systems, whereby each step involves organising principles derived from the theory.

It is a meta-systems methodology in the sense that it is also a framework within which different systems methods can be applied, because application in different contexts require different methodological approaches to the various steps and different ways of facilitating them.

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Origin of the Biomatrix Methodology.

​The Biomatrix Methodology was developed by E. Dostal. It represents a further development of the ideal system redesign methods used by various systems thinkers (see list of references in the theory section) by grounding it in the organising principles of Biomatrix Systems Theory.

 

It was originally formalised in her PhD in 1997 (Application of the biomatrix model to education systems design with special reference to South Africa. University of Cape Town) and has been refined and standardised since (see the Biomatrix books on Organisational and Societal Change and a Theory in Graphics, the Modules of the Biomatrix Education Programme and the Biomatrix Cartoon Curriculum).

 

Her motivation for developing such a methodology arose from being a researcher at the Institute for Futures Research of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, which revealed the complex problems of society and that current strategic thinking cannot solve them (which persists to date).

Why is Biomatrix Methodology needed?

Currently most (if not all) legacy social systems of the industrial age are becoming increasingly problem-riddled and need to be transformed.

Transforming them requires firstly, a new worldview, because:

• “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when creating them” (A. Einstein)

• “The logic of the problem is not the logic of the solution” (E. Dostal)

Secondly, we require ideal designs of how these systems could function and give more desirable outcomes, because:​

• "We cannot create what we can’t imagine” (L.Clifton.)”

• “What you think, you become” (Buddha)

• “Nothing less than the refashioning of the world is at stake”  (Novalis, 1772 – 101)

 

Besides a new way of thinking (i.e. w/holistic instead of reductionist thinking) with generic w/holistic principles of system organisation, the redesign of social systems also requires a comprehensive methodology and systemic change management. The Biomatrix Methodology for social system (re)design and complex problem (dis)solving provide this.

 

The methodology can be learned through self-managed learning by:

• reading through the Biomatrix books

• working through the Biomatrix Education Program, which is a structured action learning program involving six modules (consisting of videos and manuals which also include exercise templates), or

• studying the more light-hearted and entertaining version of the Cartoon Curriculum.

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