Kalle reflects on what the Operative system of www.stepwise.global uniquely helps you NOT do.
Takeaway for leaders at all levels everywhere
When you learn about the FSSD’s Operative System, it’s easy to be drawn to its intuitive logic (SWOT-like), peer-reviewed science (validated through 35 years of systemic, systematic, strategic development in science and practical use), and robust definitions (absolute for innovative action, not relative). This appeal of the System can make it surprisingly easy to overlook what is truly unique about it. A useful way to see this more clearly is by contrast—namely, by considering what the Operative System, alone, helps you avoid doing. This is unlike all App’s out there, for instance UN SDGs, Science Based Targets, Planetary Boundaries, ISO…
More in detail: You need the Operative System to steer clear of several costly mistakes, the most common being these eight:
- Believing that sustainable development only pays off if many are forced to do it.
This flaw is the driver behind all those disappointing Summits. The Operative System enables you to earn more from the start—even if you are alone using it. - Assuming sustainability is not operationally defined to get going.
Well, now it is. - Solving one problem by creating another.
A well known example is when CFCs for widescale use were motivated by their non-toxicity, only to discover that they destroy the Ozone layer already at very low leakages from society. - Losing money and competitive edge by pursuing targets that are physically impossible to scale.
For instance, investing in energy systems as unscalable as perpetual motion machines; Nuclear Power, Fossil fuels and Biofuels. - Being misled by false data, fake news, and flawed narratives that muddy the waters. For instance, the common use of pseudoscientific arguments and confirmation bias to motivate “more of the same”.
- Promoting the Operative System with flawed arguments.
For example, claiming it is the only support system based on peer-reviewed science. It is an Operative System, the only one, and it is inherently different from all App’s. Some of which may also be good as well as scientifically developed. - Using App’s outside your tailor-made systemic, systematic, and strategic planning—thereby degrading their value.
Instead, allow the Operative system to help you make your systemic, systematic and strategic plan first, then add App’s at your discretion by cross-reading them with your tailormade plan to see if you would like to add or delete anything. Or in other words, App’s should be cohesively at service, only achieved through the Operative system. - Being captured by any of Myriad apps presented as if the were optional or competitive.
This flaw is intellectually and business-wise lax. Examples include UN SDGs, Circular Economy, Science-Based Targets, LCA, CSR, Doughnut Economics, Triple Bottom Line, Ecological Economics, ISO… each covering only fragments of full-scale systemic (covering all impacts), systematic (stepwise processes where each step paves the way for the next), and strategic (improving finances from the first step of planning). That so few are trying their way without the Operative system, is devastating. Both to the individual organization (huge gaps of the ‘whole’, the ‘stepwise’, and the ‘finances’). The same is true for all of Civilization. You can read more about exactly how it works, see for instance the Reference to the Operative system below, or all ‘Kalles Reflections’ produced with the Operative system as the code.
All hot topic Reflections are direct consequences of our Operative System.
For a deeper dive into the science behind the Operative System that informs all Reflections, see the peer-reviewed Open-Source paper with all its references: doi.org/10.1002/sd.3357.
Or, for concluding reflections, practical insights and training, click on “Kalle Reflects” to see all reflections.
If you need any further advice, perhaps getting some further references, please send a question to us from the homepage.
Footnote: Broman, G. I., & Robèrt, K.-H. (2025). Operative System for Strategic Sustainable Development―Coordinating Analysis, Planning, Action, and Use of Supports Such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Planetary Boundaries, Circular Economy, and ScienceBased Targets. Sustainable Development, 1C16.
