Russell L. Ackoff (1919–2009)

Goes right to the heart of most of todays problems - the believe that system components can be independently optimized.

Applies the idealized design method in the case studies here also to social systems, health care, urbanisation ,...

Part of chapter 1, the story that set Ackoff off in this direction, can be down loaded from here: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1540… (altro)

Every organization faces interacting threats and opportunities. It is, perhaps, simplistic to argue the ideal solution to these problems is to imagine the ideal solution and then work backwards to today.

The authors refer to this six-step process as “idealized design.”

• Idealization
1. Formulate the problem. Understand your organization’s Achilles heel by preparing a systems analysis, an obstruction analysis, describe your organization’s future without change and then project a scenario if nothing is done.
2. Ends Planning. This is the heart of the process. Once you understand where you are and where you want to be, identify the gaps.
• Realization
3. Means Planning
4. Resource Planning
5. Design of Implementation
6. Design of controls.

The authors include a chapter for government and another on the health-care challenge. They offer humane, effective and intriguing solutions to what often appears to be intractable problems.

“Nothing is more damaging to a new truth than an old error,” wrote Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, the German cultural figure. For many of us, it is easier said than changed. Idealized design offers a powerful tool for revolutionary thinking. Adding its tenets into our individual and organization thinking will help us adapt to today’s environment of rapid change.… (altro)