Addressing environmental and societal challenges through systems thinking: Lessons from socially sensitive environmental projects

This article addresses the management of socially sensitive environmental projects that pose significant risks to human health, society, and the environment. Such projects require a careful balance between the interests of diverse stakeholders, as well as the evaluation of complex environmental, health, and economic impacts. We propose a unique systems engineering (SE) framework that integrates both established and innovative methods to improve project management, mitigate risks, and facilitate informed decision-making. The methodology involves an interdisciplinary analysis of two actual case studies in Israel: the removal of friable asbestos from a school in Haifa and the proposed establishment of a phosphate mine in Sde Barir, near the city of Arad. Employing the systems thinking (ST) approach, the study integrates both conceptual and technical perspectives. ST provides an overarching worldview for understanding interdependencies, feedback loops, and social dynamics, while SE contributes structured processes, analytical rigor, and lifecycle management methods. The study integrates a tailored combination of engineering and decision-support tools – including, but not limited to, After Action Review (AAR), the Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP), and Value-Oriented Requirements Analysis (VORA) – to construct a comprehensive framework for managing complex environmental risks and addressing diverse stakeholder concerns. The primary research question is: How can systems engineering frameworks and tools improve the management of socially sensitive environmental projects? The framework evolved through two carefully selected case studies, each providing an in-depth examination of complex, socially sensitive environmental projects. These cases demonstrate the framework's potential and its capacity to be further strengthened through future applications in additional contexts. The findings indicate that integrating ST with a coordinated set of SE tools significantly improves the balance between competing objectives and enhances decision-making processes. This combined approach promotes a more holistic understanding of project dynamics, enabling better management of environmental, technical, and social dimensions within socially sensitive projects. • A new ST&SE framework integrates systems thinking with systems engineering to balance technical rigor and ethical awareness in sensitive projects. • A systems engineering toolkit applies proven, tailored methods to deepen insight, improve decisions, and strengthen stakeholder alignment. • Two actual case studies show better safety management, collaboration, and transparency, reducing risks and supporting shared learning among stakeholders. • The framework is scalable and adaptable, providing a transferable basis for addressing complex socio-environmental challenges.