"Our world is increasingly subject to failures that require cross-systems-level thinking and approaches"
IBM 2010 Global CEO Survey
crossing national, organisational & cultural boundaries
Global connectivity, complex supply networks and increasing technical complexity are linked to a number of recent high-profile systemic failures. An obvious example is of course the near-collapse in the global financial markets. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is another.
an example
The consequences of systemic complexity are significant, as this quote from an article on Toyota illustrates:
"Experts say the sudden acceleration problem is likely not a single problem but an alignment of complicated interconnected conditions ... that result in one thing: unintended acceleration."
design principles
There are a number of design principles and methods to help thinking around the interactions among people, place, organisational and technological systems.
You can find more information in the open-learn community.
smart work framework
The Smart Work Framework summarises four profiles of learning workplaces according to structure, global reach, knowledge type, workstyle and social complexity. Each profile summarises a range of systems and process characteristics: structural, cultural, geographic and social complexity.
The profiles represent 'good practice' in systems design for people, place and technology for a range of processes. This blog has more explanation and you can find out more on the free-learn community.
high-performance work systems
Find out more about high-performance systems in our ebook.
Find out more by joining our open-learn community.
Then when you are ready, sign up for our we-learn experience.