Strategy for Managing Complex Systems

Strategy for Managing Complex Systems PDF Author: Fredmund Malik
Publisher: Campus Verlag
ISBN: 3593505398
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 565

Book Description
"Malik demonstrates that management and management theory have strong foundations in systems science, and most specifically in a certain type of cybernetics of truly complex systems, of organismic, self-organizing, and evolving systems. This book provides the basics on how to create robust, functional, and sustainably viable systems. One of the reasons why it has become a classic on management cybernetics, now in its 11th edition, is that the strategies and heuristic principles of complexity management are still relevant - now more than ever."--Back cover.

Managing Complex Systems

Managing Complex Systems PDF Author: Howard Eisner
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118006690
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 277

Book Description
Nine innovative methods to think outside the box and solve complex system problems Managing Complex Systems provides specific tools and guidance needed to be a more creative and innovative thinker. Following the author's methodology, the reader will be better able to devise and implement nontraditional solutions to seemingly intractable complex problems. By challenging the reader to think in new and creative ways, the book offers a road map to success, whether measured in terms of competitive advantage, greater market share, improved productivity, or higher profits, all based upon better solutions to difficult problems. The first four chapters set the foundation for creative thinking by exploring the nature of large-scale systems and complexity, thinking inside and outside the box, and examples of how an inventive mind solves problems in both management and scientific domains. Subsequent chapters address nine focused methods that the author has formulated to help the reader think outside the box: * Broaden and generalize * Crossover * Question conventional wisdom * Back of the envelope * Expanding the dimensions * Obversity * Remove constraints * Thinking with pictures * Systems approach Real-life examples are provided for each method that demonstrate how the approach enhances problem solving and decision making in system development and management. Following the discussion of the nine methods, the author examines group decision making as well as additional creative thinking procedures devised by other researchers, including references that assist in exploring these methods in greater detail. The author ends with a wrap-up chapter that includes a test to help readers practice their tendencies toward creative thinking skills and action with respect to solving real-world problems. The nine methods discussed in this book have broad applicability and can be used successfully by managers with a wide range of responsibilities in business and technology. For anyone who is tired of the same old approach with the same old results, this book is essential reading.

Managing Complex Governance Systems

Managing Complex Governance Systems PDF Author: Geert Teisman
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135235287
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 292

Book Description
Advances in public management sciences have long indicated the empirical finding that the normal state of public management systems is complex and that its dynamics are non-linear. Complex systems are subject to system pressures, system shocks, chance events, path-dependency and self-organisation. Arguing that complexity is an ever-present characteristic of our developed societies and governance systems that should be accepted, understood and adopted into management strategies, the original essays collected in this book aim to increase our understanding of complex governance processes and to propose new strategies for how public managers can deal with complexity in order to achieve high-quality research. The authors collected here use theoretical frameworks grounded in empirical research to analyze and explain how non-linear dynamics, self-organisation of many agents and the co-evolution of processes combine to generate the evolution of governance processes, especially for public urban and metropolitan investments. Managing Complex Governance Systems: Dynamics, Self-Organization and Coevolution in Public Investments offers readers an increased understanding of the main objective of public management in complexity--namely complex process system--and a strategy for accepting and dealing with complexity based on the idea of dual thinking and dual action strategies satisfying the desires of controlling processes and the need to adjust to changes simultaneously.

System Architecture

System Architecture PDF Author: Edward Crawley
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780133975345
Category : Systems engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
For courses in engineering and technical management Architecture and Function of Complex Systems System architecture is the study of early decision making in complex systems. This text teaches how to capture experience and analysis about early system decisions, and how to choose architectures that meet stakeholder needs, integrate easily, and evolve flexibly. With case studies written by leading practitioners, from hybrid cars to communications networks to aircraft, this text showcases the science and art of system architecture.

Managing Complex Projects

Managing Complex Projects PDF Author: International Institute for Learning
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470927984
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 183

Book Description
The application of project management techniques is considered standard practice in today's business environment. What is not widely known is that the learning gap separating good project management from exceptional project management is not as great as one might think yet, the difference in the return on value can be quite significant. Many factors determine how projects are approached, such as rapid shifts in technology, a fluctuating market, changes in a business's organizational structure, and politics. As these forces add to a project's complexity and duration, project managers must develop strategies that allow them to think outside the box and create new on-the-go methodologies. Managing Complex Projects delivers the tools necessary to take on an unpredictable economy with an adaptable battle plan proven to meet the differing needs of an ever-expanding set of partners and stakeholders involved in a project. This book shows how to solve some of the issues facing today's project manager, including: Dealing with multiple virtual teams located around the world Working with partners and stakeholders that may have limited project management tools and experience Adjusting to long-term projects in which the stakeholders may change Managing projects where stated goals and objectives differ among stakeholders This book shows how companies such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Siemens are exploring new avenues to aid them in taking on complex projects by combining "hard" skills, such as risk management and scheduling, with "soft" skills that focus on interpersonal communication. Managing Complex Projects serves as a lifesaver for time-crunched project managers looking for new ways to maximize their efforts.

Developing Capacity for Innovation in Complex Systems

Developing Capacity for Innovation in Complex Systems PDF Author: Christer Vindeløv-Lidzélius
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9780367559878
Category : Organizational change
Languages : en
Pages : 222

Book Description
Based on a theoretical analysis and supported by both explorative qualitative and quantitative research, this book examines the many reasons why an initiative becomes an innovation and why some organizations are better at innovation than others. Developing Capacity for Innovation in Complex Systems offers insights into the history of the idea of innovation, as well as knowledge around different discourses on innovation. The purpose of this book is to help organisations further their aspirations and work with innovation. It is based on three premises: (1) that capacity can be developed, (2) that it is worthwhile trying to do so, and (3) there are however no guarantees for success. Providing a comprehensive view of innovation and discussing the theoretical challenges, the book contributes towards a holistic theory for capacity building for innovation. The book conveys frameworks, methodologies, and tools that are used in terms of innovation, and it explains positive strategies for innovation that are being developed. Complexity theory is presented and attributed to the construct of innovation to further the understanding of the intricacies and fallacies of innovation work. This book will be of direct interest to scholars and subject matter experts in the field of innovation management. Business leaders and reflective practitioners will find the content relevant and accessible.

It's Not Complicated

It's Not Complicated PDF Author: Rick Nason
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
ISBN: 1487514786
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Book Description
In the new knowledge economy, traditional modes of thinking are no longer effective. Compartmentalizing problems and solutions and assuming everything can be solved with the right formula can no longer keep pace with the radical changes occurring daily in the modern business world. It’s Not Complicated offers a paradigm shift for business professionals looking for simplified solutions to complex problems. In his straightforward and highly engaging style, Rick Nason introduces the principles of “complexity thinking” which empower managers to understand, correlate, and explain a diverse range of business phenomena. For example, why some new products go viral while others remain unnoticed, how office cliques develop despite collaborative work policies and spaces, how economic bubbles form, and how an unknown retiree foiled one of the most carefully planned product launches ever with a single letter to the editor of his local newspaper. Rather than consider complicated and complex as interchangeable terms, Rick Nason explains what complexity is, how it arises, and the errors in solving complex situations with complicated thinking. It’s Not Complicated provides managers with fresh, counterintuitive, and actionable models for dealing with challenging business problems.

Using Activity Domain Theory for Managing Complex Systems

Using Activity Domain Theory for Managing Complex Systems PDF Author: Taxen, Lars
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1605661937
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 350

Book Description
Using Activity Domain Theory for the Coordination of Complex Projects offers a new approach towards managing the coordination of complex system development tasks.

Adaptive Software Development

Adaptive Software Development PDF Author: James A. Highsmith
Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated
ISBN: 9780932633408
Category : Computer software
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
- support an adaptive culture or mindset, in which change and uncertainty are assumed to be the natural state--not a false expectation of order- introduce frameworks to guide the iterative process of managing change- institute collaboration, the interaction of people on three levels: interpersonal, cultural, and structural- add rigor and discipline to the RAD approach, making it scalable to the uncertainty and complexity of real-life undertakings

Designing and Managing Complex Systems

Designing and Managing Complex Systems PDF Author: David Moriarty
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0323916104
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 324

Book Description
The systems that surround us are often multidimensional, and complex, consisting of a large collection of networked components with convoluted connections between them. Designing and managing such systems can be challenging, particularly in organizations. Designing and Managing Complex Systems introduces readers to the theory of complex systems, examining the role of human within larger systems, the factors that affect system performance, and how such systems can be optimized. The first section reviews the history of one particularly fruitful approach to complexity, one based on knowledge of the human nervous system. Next, the author discusses the current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains including physical, biological, mechanical, and organizational. Within these chapters the author also introduces the idea that there are marked similarities in how complexity is successfully managed across these different domains and how the ideas from one domain can be useful in other domains. Next, these ideas are synthesized into a framework for successfully designing and managing complex systems. The fourth section focuses on case studies concerning failures and successes within complex systems. Provides an overview of the background and scope of complexity science Reviews current understanding of complex systems in a variety of domains (physical, biological, mechanical, and organizational) Introduces the idea of using successful techniques from one domain to help design and manage complex systems in other domains Includes case studies analysing failures and successes within complex systems