Viable Systems Modelling for Project Management part 4

In Stafford Beer's VSM systems, Systems 1 and 2 are concerned with the operations of the system (see previous posts). However in any system there is the need to intervene if the operations are potentially in conflict (which can cause oscillation) or not doing what the system needs in a changed environment. This is where the higher-level systems, 3, 4 and 5, come in, and this article deals with System 3.

Viable Systems Modelling for Project Management part 3

My last post explained how the first of Stafford Beer’s VSM systems, System 1, can be applied to project management. Now we continue with looking at System 2. For a reminder of the whole VSM model see my overview post.

Viable Systems Modelling for Project Management part 2

In my previous post I introduced Stafford Beer’s Viable Systems Model (VSM) and how project management can fit in with it. In this part we’ll be looking at the first of his five systems: System 1 – Operational Units.

Viable Systems Modelling for Project Management part 1

In my previous post I launched this series of posts by explaining why I thought project management is derived from command and control management thinking, and that there is a “better way” based on systems thinking. In this post in the series on that alternative approach I’ll be giving a brief overview of Stafford Beer’s Viable Systems Model (VSM) and how project management can fit in with it.