Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos And Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture

The first edition of Systems Thinking was the first book to develop a working concept of systems theory and to deal operationally with systems methodology. The author has been working for the last 5 years to incorporate parallel development in quantum theory, self-organizing systems and complexity theory, the sum of which is included in this new 2nd edition. He has tested these concepts with 200 executive MBA students, and also with Russell Ackoff, one of the founding fathers of systems thinking. Ackoff reported that it was the most comprehensive systems methodology he has seen.

The 2nd edition features the synthesis of holistic thinking (iteration of structure, function and process), operational thinking (understanding chaos and complexity), sociocultural systems (movement toward a predefined order), and interactive design (redesigning the future and inventing ways to bring it about).

Also added are the operational thinking and self-organizing aspect of sociocultural systems, with updates made to the holistic thinking and interactive design parts to incorporate recent new developments.

* Cutting edge thinking incorporates the interaction of holistic thinking, operational thinking, sociocultural systems, and interactive design to develop an all inclusive systems methodology
* Companion website built solely to accompany and compliment the new edition available at www.interactdesign.com
* Operational thinking and self organizing aspects of sociocultural systems added anew, with the holistic thinking and interactive design parts updated to incorporate new developments

Praise for the First Edition:
"Einstein once wrote, 'Without changing our pattern of thought, we will not be able to solve the problems we created with our current patterns of thought.' In his book, Systems Thinking, Jamshid develops a pattern of thought that will yield solutions to those problems."
- Russell Ackoff, Preeminent Systems Scientist, Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Building off the classic first edition, Systems Thinking, Second Edition, has been updated and revised to include the parallel cutting-edge development in quantum theory, self-organizing systems, and complexity theory. In this version of systems methodology Gharajedaghi has used interactive design as a platform to combine the magic of iterative approach with the power of the dynamic thinking to create an all-inclusive, competent and exciting systems methodology that goes a long way in dealing with emerging challenges of seemingly complex and chaotic socio-cultural systems.

Systems Thinking, Second Edition includes updates on the impact recent events, such as terrorism, corruption, and alienation, have had on systems thinking and implementation. A companion website to accompany the book is available at www.interactdesign.com.

Sponsoring clients of the five case studies in this book had this to say about Jamshid Gharajedaghi and his methodology:

"Gharajedaghi challenged us to think backwards from an ideal competitive position instead of forwards from our existing position with all its constraints. The result was bolder thinking about change. Jamshid forces a realistic assessment of a company's strengths and weaknesses, an idealistic view of what it could be, and creates the path from point A to point B.
- Bill Tiefel, President, Marriott Lodging

"Gharajedaghi was perfect! He had passion and brilliance. And he was a bully, and that's what we needed. He could challenge our traditional thinking and make us see our actions and opportunities from a different perspective."
- William G. Poist, President and CEO, Commonwealth Energy System

Jamshid Gharajedaghi is Managing Partner of Interact, The Institute for Interactive Management and former director of The Busch Center, the research arm and Adjunct Professor of Systems Sciences at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.