Customer Reviews

The "Thinking" in Systems Thinking: Seven Essential Skills (Toolbox Reprint Series)

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First it should be understood that this is really a pamphlet not a real paperback. At $16.95+s&H this 23 page paper is hardly a "gem" although it is as pricey as one. This aside, if you are trying to find out about systems thinking, you won't find it here. What you get is a rehash of the scientific method with managerial buzz words added for marketability. The whole paper seems to be written for those permanently damaged by the MBA experience. There is no definition of systems science, which deals with the constructs of knowledge not the content. If we are to accept the author's de facto definition of systems thinking=scientific method then the whole field has gotten smaller. There is no discussion of attractors,complexity, the role of chaos, or business as a complex adaptive system. Instead we are treated to "forest thinking" (wholistic thinking) and "operational thinking" (causality)reduced to 2-3 pages for the executive that is too busy to read but more than willing to obscure the thinking process with more management speak du jour.
If you really want to understand the systems approach do the homework. Read "Facets of Systems Science" by George J. Klir which will give you a background of the field. "Harnessing Complexity" by Robert Axlerod and Michael D. Cohen is a must if you want to develop a systems approach within an organization. If you really feel intimidated by the field a good introductory book is "The Art of Systems Thinking" by Joseph O'Connor and Ian McDermott. The latter is too light weight to help you do more than orient yourself and find more meatier content.

Richmond's highly descriptive and lucid presentation is recommended for an advanced design pedagogy right along with Bloom's Taxonomy and Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory. Most relevant to thinking about preferred futures as it offers the "how" of approaching fitness maximizing for survival in complex adaptive systems/organizations. Richmond covers the domains of this broad field from the Operations Research of Churchman and Ackoff through the Dynamics of Forrester and also embracing Cybernetics II of notables such as Gregory Bateson, Maturana & Varela and others. A single evening of intense reading with long-term rewards for enlightened leadership (designing the designer) into the future. Richmond is to be lauded in that he keeps in mind that Systems Thinking is not a "quick fix" technique to be applied to complex problems. A gem! Of course, you can always read "Facets of Systems Science" by George J. Klir at $137.50 for the full scoop.

One has to wonder why this reprint would command such a price. My answer: because it is worth it if you are a systems thinker and need to consolidate your intuitions with the profession of systems thinking.

I have a current issue in talking to senior management at a national lab on an important subject area. The bottom line was that the modeling approach that they have been using really is the antithesis of systems thinking--in fact, it has been a succession of "detail thinking" approaches that has been somehow stitched together. My problem has been: "how do I convey a systems thinking approach". This reprint provides an answer.

I would also guess that this small booklet will also serve as an excellent focal point for classes on systems thinking. The information in this booklet provides a roadmap of the process of systems thinking, the tools, the difficulties in learning this approach, and the potential payoff if you can successfully employ it.

However, for those folks that are not faced with converting others to this way of thinking, you may feel like the material is intuitive. My reply: common sense is not always so common when you are trying to explain this subject to someone else. This booklet will really help in that regard.