The Generic five-level framework is a method that provides an examination and strategic planning of complex systems, tools or topics. It is designed to analyze for a better decision-making and helps to structure any data (Robèrt 2000). The 5LF is a conceptual framework that allows structuring information in a precise and rigorous approach. The framework is comprised of 5 levels: System, Success, Strategic Guidelines, Actions, and Tools that frame to what degree they are related to one another (Waldron et al. 2008).
- The System Level: this level indicates the overall function of the system.
- The Success Level: in this level, is identified the principles for success in the system.
- The Strategic Guidelines Level: This level consists of the guidelines and principles that frame the actions that move towards success in the system in order to strategic decision-making.
- The Action Level: This level conceders the strategic actions that lead to the goal.
- The Tools Level: This level comprises various method and tools required for supporting the actions that lead to success.
In relation to sustainable development is fundamental to integrate scientific knowledge from different fields into de 5LF. This Framework which is called the Framework for Strategic Sustainable development (FSSD) is a method for sustainable progress and has been created to provide better understanding and structuring of the sustainability challenge (Broman and Robèrt 2015).
The FSSD based on the 5LF, provides eight sustainability principles as boundary conditions for success and advises prioritization support for decision-making towards a sustainable future (Waldron et al. 2008). The levels are the following:
- The System level which refers to the primary function of the system and its interconnections - in this case of the society within the biosphere.
- The success level in which system complies with the Sustainability Principles (SPs).
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing...
- ...concentrations of substances extracted from Earth’s crust
- ...concentrations of substances produced by society
- ...degradation by physical means and people are not subject to structural obstacles to...
- ...health
- ...influence
- ...competence
- ...impartiality
- ...meaning-making (Broman and Robèrt 2017)
- Strategic guidelines that based on backasting approach and 3 prioritization questions:
- Actions that are very detailed movements in the transition toward sustainability.
- Tools, which systematically control the actions to confirm the strategic way towards a sustainable future (Robèrt 2000).