Systems-Thinkers ::  Resources :: Category= Systems Thinking

Book : Advanced Systems Thinking, Engineering, and Management (2003)

Publisher: Artech House Publishing

Author(s): Hitchins, Derek K.

Published: 2003 ISBN: 1580536190 • 489 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Hardback

Summary

From the publisher:

No matter what field you are working in or studying, Advanced Systems Thinking, Engineering, and Management offers you a comprehensive understanding of systems ideas and methods to help you achieve unmatched success with your challenging projects. This unique resource helps you add a systems-scientific grounding to systems engineering enterprises, showing you how to solve intractable problems, design systems to accommodate complex environments, and manage both creative and operational systems. You learn how to conceive, design and manage a systems engineering process for optimal results.

The book is filled with examples and case studies from a wide range of areas, from integrated transport systems, security systems, and defense procurement, to missile defense architectures, famine relief, and managing markets. This innovative reference introduces a generic systems lifecycle theory that helps you understand how systems form, persist and decay, and presents a 5-layer classification for systems engineering. You discover how to use a generic reference model that allows systems of all types to be addressed within a common framework. Moreover, the book reveals how architecture is used to create system emergent properties, capabilities and behaviors.

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Book : Bionomics: Economy as Ecosystem (1995)

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Author(s): Rothschild, Michael

Published: 1995 ISBN: 0805019790 • 423 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Paperback

Summary

Capitalism, or the market economy, or the free enterprise system—whatever you choose to label it—was not planned. Like life on earth, it did not need to be. Capitalism just happened, and it will keep on happening. Quite spontaneously. Capitalism flourishes whenever it is not suppressed, because it is a naturally occurring phenomenon. It is the way human society organizes itself for survival in a world of limited resources.

A capitalist economy can best be comprehended as a living ecosystem. Key phenomena observed in nature: competition, specialization, cooperation, exploitation, learning, growth, and several others—are also central to business life. Moreover, the evolution of the global ecosystem and the emergence of modern industrial society are studded with striking parallels.

Briefly stated, information is the essence of both systems. In the biologic environment, genetic information, recorded in the DNA molecule, is the basis of all life. In the economic environment, technological information, captured in books, blueprints, scientific journals, databases, and the know-how of millions of individuals, is the ultimate source of all economic life.

Bionomics is not a new "theory"—some new doctrine or ideology.There’s already been entirely too much of that. Instead, this book offers a fresh new perspective, a new way of observing the facts before us. When you adjust the focus on a microscope, blurry images pop into vivid detail. In all its marvelous complexity and beauty, a world invisible to the naked eye suddenly becomes intelligible.

In a way, the bionomic perspective is an infinitely adjustable macroscope—an instrument for the mind’s eye—able to scan the panorama of the global economy or zoom in on its finest details. It is an observational technique that, once learned, comes easily. Complexities that confound traditional approaches yield to its insights. At a time of stunning change in the world, when the inadequacies of long-accepted points of view have become obvious, a new way of looking at old problems may be just what is needed.

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Book : Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modelling for a Complex World (2000)

Publisher: Irwin Professional Publishers

Author(s): Sterman, John D.

Published: 2000 ISBN: 0071179895 • 1008 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Hardback

Summary

From the publisher:

Accelerating economic, technological, social, and environmental change challenge managers and policy makers to learn at increasing rates, while at the same time the complexity of the systems in which we live is growing.  Many of the problems we now face arise as unanticipated side effects of our own past actions.  All too often the policies we implement to solve important problems fail, make the problem worse, or create new problems.

Effective decision making and learning in a world of growing dynamic complexity requires us to become systems thinkers to expand the boundaries of our mental models and develop tools to understand how the structure of complex systems creates their behavior.

This book introduces you to system dynamics modeling for the analysis of policy and strategy, with a focus on business and public policy applications.  System dynamics is a perspective and set of conceptual tools that enable us to understand the structure and dynamics of complex systems.  System dynamics is also a rigorous modeling method that enables us to build formal computer simulations of complex systems and use them to design more effective policies and organizations.  Together, these tools allow us to create management flight simulators–microworlds where space and time can be compressed and slowed so we can experience the long-term side effects of decisions, speed learning, develop our understanding of complex systems, and design structures and strategies for greater success.

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Book : Managing with Systems Thinking: Making Dynamics Work for You in Business Decision Making (1994)

Publisher: McGraw Hill

Author(s): Balle, Michael

Published: 1994 ISBN: 0077079515 • 184 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Hardback

Summary

From the Publisher:

The common scenario when a problem arises in an organization is that management find a solution that is localized and focused on solving that specific problem - if your warehouse is failing to deliver on time, you need to address the failure and put it right. However, the problem may re-occur if the management decisions that allowed the difficulty to arise in the first place are not retraced and examined.

Systems thinking is a framework that enables managers to exploit the commonsense, intuitive responses they may already follow when getting to the root of problems or inefficiencies in their organizations. By unravelling decision-making processes in a logical, systematic way, managers can address issues central to their organization, creating far-reaching benefits.

This text is a practical guide to this method, popularized by Peter Senge’s "The Fifth Discipline". It has a readable style, diagrams and anecdotal case studies that provide and explanation of the benefit and “how to” of systems thinking is a business environment. The text identifies areas of action and a seven-step approaaoch to systematic analysis.

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Book : Mastering Project Management: Applying Advanced Concepts of Systems Thinking, Control and Evaluation (2000)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Author(s): Kerzner, H.

Published: 2000 ISBN: 0471393428 • 1232 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Hardback

Summary

The Design-Build Institute of America

"This classic guide enables you to learn from the successes and failures of leading companies, explore new cost control and risk management techniques . . . and obtain the information needed to study for the PMI Certification exam."

Dr. Don Shanfelt, PMP "This book is more like an encyclopedia of project management than simply a textbook . . . Once you've been through this text, it will become a well-used reference on your bookshelf. Somewhere inside, Dr. Kerzner has addressed at least a portion of whatever you're looking for." E-Commerce PM for WorldCom, and adjunct IT professor in Colorado Springs Project management at its best a banner edition of the landmark reference This latest edition of the bestselling "bible" of project management brings outstanding coverage of the basic principles and concepts of project management right up to date with the latest developments in the field. Written by one of the best-known and respected authorities on the subject, it is essential reading for today s and tomorrow’s professionals involved in project management. It covers every key aspect of the subject, from the intricate framework of organizational behavior and structure that can determine project success to the planning, scheduling, and controlling processes vital to effective project management. New features include:

• Up-to-date coverage of global project management, the project management maturity model, "six sigma", and conflict resolution modes
• Dozens of real-world case studies and hundreds of sample problems across a wide range of industries

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Course : MSc Business and Systems Thinking (incorporating PG Cert/PG Dip) (2010)

Publisher: University of Derby

Author(s): —Unknown—

Published: 2010 Delivery Format: Unknown

Summary

From the University of Derby:

You will develop a wide and in-depth knowledge across key managerial disciplines on the MSc Business and Systems Thinking programme.

You will practice and expand key subject area skills, unlocking business potential and management capabilities within a diverse cultural context. You will develop appropriate business strategies, policies, procedures and change programmes within a dynamic business context so you will make an immediate impact in the business sector.

You will also understand the impact of professional and ethical standards and principles on business practice, and enhance your own personal business skills. At the same time you will focus on systems thinking - an innovative approach to help organisations work efficiently and effectively- and start to understand the complex world of systems.

The MSc starts with the Postgraduate Certificate stage which is also shared across other programmes so that you build a strong support network of global colleagues to learn with. You will concentrate on the broad contextual aspects of management, developing your knowledge and understanding. The main themes here are developing people, organisational dynamics and behaviours, finance and information, marketing and operations, as well personal development skills.

At the Postgraduate Diploma stage the focus is on subject specific knowledge and practical skills.  It goes beyond the operational and functional, through the tactical, and towards a more strategic level of understanding in a wider variety of business environments and global contexts.  You’ll be internationalising your capabilities and will evaluate a range of intervention theories in terms of systems thinking and change management. You will research to evaluate the application of Systems theory to an organisation.

At the Masters level you will focus on the philosophies and practice of systems thinking.  You will develop a dissertation or management project based on systems thinking and organisational change. This is a significant piece of work culminating in your resolutions of, and perspectives on, strategic managerial problems relating to systems and change management.

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Book : Practical Systems Thinking (1996)

Publisher: International Thomson Business Press

Author(s): Waring, Alan

Published: 1996 ISBN: 0412717506 • 272 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Paperback

Summary

This new textbook examines three principal methods of applied systems thinking: systems failures, hard and soft systems methods. Other systems methodologies are described briefly. The book is written in an open learning style with activities, exercises and case studies with an emphasis on practice and technique. It is supported by numerous illustrations, in keeping with the diagramming techniques of systems work.

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Book : Putting Systems to Work (1992)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Author(s): Hitchins, Derek K.

Published: 1992 ISBN: 0471934267 • 342 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Paperback

Summary

This text, examining the nature, views and uses of systems, aims to develop a sound systems ethic and systems methods that will improve the performance of systems, organizations and businesses while preserving the environment.

There are four distinct but interrelated parts, progressing from basic systems notions and principles, through the establishment of some building blocks, through to full systems synthesis. Classical systems engineering is discussed, as a basis for comparison with, and foundation for, a New Systems Engineering, and speculation is put forward about the way in which some aspects of system design might be undertaken in the future.

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Book : Rethinking the Fifth Discipline (1999)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Author(s): Flood, Robert L.

Published: 1999 ISBN: 0415185300 • 213 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Paperback

Summary

From the publisher:

A purely financial and economic view of companies had its place when capital was a scarce resource and it was management's duty to optimize its use. But today's scarce resource is knowledge and knowledge is created by a company's human assets, not its capital assets.

This, now more than ever before, makes a company into a living work community, instead of a collection of assets on a balance sheet. It demands completely different management approaches and requires the language of biology, anthropology and psychology for further insights. And in leading today's modern corporation, management must think in terms of "learning" as the main process through which the company can flourish and hold its own in a competitive market.

This readable, thought-provoking and highly original book explores these themes and develops in depth what organizational learning means. It investigates the consequences of building a sustainable work community for human resource management, strategic planning and organizational structure. It makes a case for a thorough public debate on corporate governance and on the reallocation of power, both inside and around the company.

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Book : Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager’s Guide to Applying Systems (2002)

Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd.

Author(s): Sherwood, Dennis

Published: 2002 ISBN: 185788311X • 235 pages Delivery Format: Hard Copy - Paperback

Summary

From the publisher:

Systems thinking can help you tame the complexity of real world problems by providing a structured way of balancing a broad, overall view with the selection of the right level of detail, truly allowing you to see the forest for the trees.

Only by taking a broad view can we avoid the twin dangers of a silo mentality - in which a fix ‘here’ simply shifts the problem to ‘there’ - and organisational myopia - in which a fix ‘now’ gives rise to a much bigger problem to fix ‘then’.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees will give you all the tools and techniques you need, with many practical examples as diverse as managing a busy back office, negotiating an outsourcing deal and formulating business strategy.

Dennis Sherwood was for twelve years a consulting partner with Coopers & Lybrand and was subsequently an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs in London, a partner in Bossard Consultants, and Vice President of SRI Consulting. Educated at the universities of Cambridge, Yale and California, and a Sloan Fellow, with Distinction, of the London Business School, he is now the Managing Director of Organica Consulting which specialised in building competitive advantage through innovation whose clients include Thames Water, Nestle, National Grid, Pearson TV, The Defence Evaluation & Research Agency, Wedgewood, and Yorkshire Electricity. He is a is well-known on the conference circuit and is the author of five previous books including Smart Things to Know About Innovation and Unlock Your Mind.

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