An Introduction to General Systems Thinking

An Introduction to General Systems Thinking PDF

Author: Gerald M. Weinberg

Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780932633491

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A classic introduction to systems theory, with applications in computer science and beyond. -- Back cover.

Thinking in Systems

Thinking in Systems PDF

Author: Donella Meadows

Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

Published: 2008-12-03

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 1603581480

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The classic book on systems thinking—with more than half a million copies sold worldwide! "This is a fabulous book... This book opened my mind and reshaped the way I think about investing."—Forbes "Thinking in Systems is required reading for anyone hoping to run a successful company, community, or country. Learning how to think in systems is now part of change-agent literacy. And this is the best book of its kind."—Hunter Lovins In the years following her role as the lead author of the international bestseller, Limits to Growth—the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet—Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001. Thinking in Systems is a concise and crucial book offering insight for problem solving on scales ranging from the personal to the global. Edited by the Sustainability Institute’s Diana Wright, this essential primer brings systems thinking out of the realm of computers and equations and into the tangible world, showing readers how to develop the systems-thinking skills that thought leaders across the globe consider critical for 21st-century life. Some of the biggest problems facing the world—war, hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation—are essentially system failures. They cannot be solved by fixing one piece in isolation from the others, because even seemingly minor details have enormous power to undermine the best efforts of too-narrow thinking. While readers will learn the conceptual tools and methods of systems thinking, the heart of the book is grander than methodology. Donella Meadows was known as much for nurturing positive outcomes as she was for delving into the science behind global dilemmas. She reminds readers to pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable, to stay humble, and to stay a learner. In a world growing ever more complicated, crowded, and interdependent, Thinking in Systems helps readers avoid confusion and helplessness, the first step toward finding proactive and effective solutions.

Systemic Thinking

Systemic Thinking PDF

Author: John Boardman

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2013-07-03

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13: 1118720970

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"Systemic thinking" is the process of understanding how systemsinfluence one another within a world of systems and has beendefined as an approach to problem solving by viewing "problems" asparts of an overall system, rather than reacting to a specificpart, outcome, or event. This book provides a complete overview of systemic thinking,exploring a framework and graphical technique for understanding andidentifying new ways to more efficiently solve problems and createsolutions. Demystifying the conjunction of systems concepts andsystemic diagramming techniques, this comprehensive pocket guideintroduces and explains the basis of systemigrams, how to create asystemigram and a SystemiShow, illuminates multiple complexproblems, and provides an overview of what purpose they serve fortoday's industry professionals. Systemic Thinking: Building Maps for Worlds ofSystems: Includes illustrative systemigrams and case studies Includes the SystemiTool software, developed by theauthors Provides an overview of systemic thinking, particularly withregard to systemigrams Incorporates graphical representations of systemigrams Instructs how and when to implement a systemigram when aproblem arises An invaluable book for industryprofessionals—specifically, technical leaders in industry andbusiness trying to confront complex problems—SystemicThinking is also ideal for postgraduate students in engineeringand business management.

Systems Thinking For Social Change

Systems Thinking For Social Change PDF

Author: David Peter Stroh

Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

Published: 2015-09-24

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1603585818

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Donors, leaders of nonprofits, and public policy makers usually have the best of intentions to serve society and improve social conditions. But often their solutions fall far short of what they want to accomplish and what is truly needed. Moreover, the answers they propose and fund often produce the opposite of what they want over time. We end up with temporary shelters that increase homelessness, drug busts that increase drug-related crime, or food aid that increases starvation. How do these unintended consequences come about and how can we avoid them? By applying conventional thinking to complex social problems, we often perpetuate the very problems we try so hard to solve, but it is possible to think differently, and get different results. Systems Thinking for Social Change enables readers to contribute more effectively to society by helping them understand what systems thinking is and why it is so important in their work. It also gives concrete guidance on how to incorporate systems thinking in problem solving, decision making, and strategic planning without becoming a technical expert. Systems thinking leader David Stroh walks readers through techniques he has used to help people improve their efforts to end homelessness, improve public health, strengthen education, design a system for early childhood development, protect child welfare, develop rural economies, facilitate the reentry of formerly incarcerated people into society, resolve identity-based conflicts, and more. The result is a highly readable, effective guide to understanding systems and using that knowledge to get the results you want.

Systems Thinkers

Systems Thinkers PDF

Author: Magnus Ramage

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-02-19

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 1447174755

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This book presents a biographical history of the field of systems thinking, by examining the life and work of thirty of its major thinkers. It discusses each thinker’s key contributions, the way this contribution was expressed in practice and the relationship between their life and ideas. This discussion is supported by an extract from the thinker’s own writing, to give a flavour of their work and to give readers a sense of which thinkers are most relevant to their own interests.

General Principles of Systems Design

General Principles of Systems Design PDF

Author: Gerald M. Weinberg

Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780932633071

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Bring a Deeper Understanding of Systems to Software and System Development Originally titled On the Design of Stable Systems in its first, hardcover incarnation, in 1979, General Principles of Systems Design does not just focus on computer systems, but systems of all kinds--human, natural, and technological. In a highly readable, original presentation that embraces everything from depletion curves to the Feedback Principle (the method of controlling a system by reinserting it into the results of its past performance), the Weinbergs explore the subtle art and science of regulating systems, projects, and people in the most efficient and logical manner possible. The authors draw on their respective backgrounds in technology and social science to offer fresh insights and translate them into a language that anyone can understand. In the course of this presentation, the Weinbergs introduce a host of laws and theorems derived from the best thinking of systems thinkers over the past century. In addition to being a reference book for professional and lay people alike, General Principles of Systems Design is suitable as an undergraduate text in the humanities, social, natural, and engineering sciences. It is unique in its approach, highly readable, and offers practical ways of solving problems.

Systems Thinking Basics

Systems Thinking Basics PDF

Author: Virginia Anderson

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13:

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Systems Thinking Basics is a self-study, skill-building resource designed to introduce you to the power of systems thinking tools. With an emphasis on behavior over time graphs and causal loop diagrams, this workbook guides you step by step through: Recognizing systems and understanding the importance of systems thinking Interpreting and creating behavior over time graphs and causal loop diagrams Applying and practicing systems thinking day-to-day Each of the book's six main sections contains a wealth of examples from the business world, as well as learning activities that reinforce concepts and provide you with the opportunity and space to practice. An array of appendices offers: Extra practice activities A summary of key points and suggested responses to the learning activities A table showing the "palette" of systems thinking tools available A glossary of systems thinking terms A list of additional resources A summary of the systems archetypes The many diagrams within the book clarify concepts and visually reinforce key principles. Systems Thinking Basics is ideal for aspiring systems thinkers eager to try their hand at using these powerful tools

Quality Software Management: Congruent action

Quality Software Management: Congruent action PDF

Author: Gerald M. Weinberg

Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13:

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Partial ContentsI Managing Yourself- Why Congruence Is Essential to Managing- Choosing Management- Styles of Coping- Transforming Incongruence into Congruence- Moving Toward CongruenceII Managing Others- Analyzing the Manager's Job- Recognizing Preference Differences- Temperament Differences- Recognizing Differences As Assets- Patterns of Incongruence- The Technology of Human BehaviorIII Achieving Congruent Management- Curing the Addiction to Incongruence- Ending the Placating Addiction- Ending the Blaming Addiction- Engaging the Other- Reframing the Context- Informative FeedbackIV Managing the Team Context- Why Teams?- Growing Teams- Managing in a Team Environment- Starting and Ending TeamsV EpilogueAppendicesA: Diagram of EffectsB: Satir Interaction ModelC: Software Engineering Cultural PatternsD: Control ModelsE: Three Observer PositionsNotesListing of Laws, Rules, and PrinciplesAuthor IndexSubject Index

Rethinking Systems Analysis & Design

Rethinking Systems Analysis & Design PDF

Author: Gerald M. Weinberg

Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9780932633088

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An Eye-Opening, Intuitive Approach to the More Subtle Problems of Analysis and Design Systems analysis and design have solved many problems, but they have also created many problems. This unique book tackles crucial analysis and design issues that are glossed over in conventional texts. It recognizes that while many problems are solved with systems analysis and design, many problems are also created. Using a short, highly readable essay format, Rethinking Systems Analysis & Design presents readers with both the logical and the more intuitive aspects of the analysis/design process. The book is not intended as an alternative to structured analysis and design, but rather as a supplement for those who must deal with the less structured processes of analysis and design. A witty and illustrative fable concludes each of this engaging book's seven parts. Among the informative topics are - mastering complexity - general systems thinking - observing and interviewing - trading off quality versus cost - understanding the designer's mind - design philosophy.