Open Meeting - Autumn 2012

Town: 
Manchester
Cost: 
£10
Event date: 
Monday, October 8, 2012
10am - 4:30pm
Location: 
MBS West Room 2.40, Manchester Business School West, Booth Street West, M15 6PB
Admission: 
(All Welcome)
Event Details: 

A series of presentations of general interest regarding Systems Practice will be given - this will include a 'craft' session.

Session: 1. Socio-Cybernetics and Complex Organisations - Dr. John Raven, Dr. Mike McCarron, Prof. Bernd Hornung & Tony Korycki

This session will offer a brief introduction into one perspective on formalising “systems thinking” and socio-cybernetics, using three scenarios to illustrate “the problem” as it presents itself; in the education area of government policy, in an evolving hospital system, and operation of a large business. Discussion will focus on the question of how to envision a management (governance, socio-cybernetic) system appropriate to such circumstances. The session will also introduce the work of the socio-cybernetics committee of the International Sociological Association, which is setting up a working group to seek a way forward. The primary aim of the session is to inform SCiO Open Day attendees to the issues, problem, proposal work and solicit participation of those willing to advance thinking in this area.

The session will be introduced and managed by Mike McCarron who has a long standing interest in effective management of public policy and recently organised a session with the Scottish Parliament with the objective of promoting systems thinking in governmental organisations. John Raven will summarise research into problems of the educational system, including the systemogram that highlighted how various causes of problems formed a system in which attempts to change any one part on its own was negated by the reactions of the rest of the system. This systemogram also drew attention to the fact that one of the central problems is the governance system itself. Bernd Hornung will summarise “the problem” as it emerged in hospital systems, from the recent conference of the socio-cybernetics committee, that led to the proposal to set up a group on thinking about appropriate arrangements for thinking about the management of complex organisations. Finally Tony Korycki will summarise the problems as observed in a large international company, from a recent SCiO Development Day.

The final part the session will be reserved for general discussion about the subject, during which it is hoped that additional participants may emerge, as well as identifying others who could participate in further work.

There is further information of a follow-up meeting on Tues. 9th October for enthusiasts ! ….

http://www.eyeonsociety.co.uk/resources/Socio-cybernetics_and_Complex_Organisations.pdf

Session: 2. Systems thinking: absent competence or constrained capability? - Helen Wilding

Helen will introduce issues concerned with the design and implementation of her M.Sc. research work linked to health and well-being. In particular, her approach will cover the ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ questions, outlining the way in which her research evolved and what the outcomes have been since.

The setting and interest for the research is rooted in a Partnership working for wellbeing and health.

Session: 3. Making use of facilitation tools in system exploration - Dr. Elizabeth McDonnell et al

Elizabeth is interested in blending an understanding of ‘facilitation’ as a craft skill with the real challenge of engaging people in utilizing systems thinking and systems tools. 

Underlying this session is a couple of niggling questions that seem to pop up so often, 'what is the problem with systems thinking?' and ‘why are the systems approaches and tools not used more?’

The workshop will explore the process of applying a systems tool e.g creating a diagram/map/ picture and making use of facilitation tools to explore, stimulate ideas, create options and guide participants through a group activity in creating the desired output.

The session dynamics will be for each group to 'do' first, and then ‘reflect’ afterwards on the process and how it relates to facilitation and systems thinking/ tools.

Elizabeth is hoping to be assisted by colleagues who took part in the Portico ‘Action Learning’ set who have met for several working sessions over the last 12 months.

Session: 4. Decision Behaviour, Analysis & Support - Dr. Nadia Papamichail

Nadia will discuss biases, inconsistencies and irrationalities in decision making. She will introduce decision analysis as a discipline that can help decision makers take better decisions.

A number of applications will be presented. The session will conclude with the presentation of a framework for assessing quality in decision making.

This session will draw on material presented in the book ‘Decision behaviour, analysis and support’ which Nadia has recently co-authored.

Event Type (Tag): 
Open Meeting

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