How to Identify an Engineer with the Appropriate Systems Thinking Skills?

Systems thinking is an evolving field, and the demand for engineers with a high systems thinking capacity is growing. Since different areas require specific systems thinking abilities, there is a need for tools to identify people with appropriate systems thinking characteristics for various fields and positions. In this study, we introduce a practical tool for identifying systems thinking abilities via factor analysis of answers to a questionnaire designed to provide insights into such capabilities. The study sample included 120 respondents who completed the questionnaire after a learning process in a seminar on systems thinking principles. A factor analysis divided the questions into five groups, each representing one characteristic of systems thinking. This division of the questionnaire allows for identifying applicants with a high capacity for systems thinking and assessing their specific systems thinking capabilities.