Here’s an article by Stewart Patrick called “When the System Fails” https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/2020-06-09/when-system-fails (3,800 words) [Foreign Affairs, 9-Jun-2020]
Patrick takes a look at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and responses to Covid-19. He notes that as a system the WHO is reliant on benefactors to serve beneficiaries. It is part of a wider, complex group of systems that include complementary systems, dependent systems and competing systems. The WHO system is affected by many stakeholders who can influence its effectiveness and efficiency. Covid-19 has seen influential stakeholders exit or bypass the system, reducing this part of the system to a skeleton and performing only a part of its intended role. For us, this is part of engaging our stakeholders, delivering to objectives and aligning values.
Some things to consider:
Testing the purpose of the system. Is the system still valid in its current state and the current state of the complex environment it is part of.
Contributing when it shows up weaknesses. The system is only as useful as its commitment to contribution and engagement in results.
Refining in feedback loops. Test and learn, retain knowledge and know-how.
What is your squad refining? What systems lack purpose? Where are you seeking feedback?
How does this thinking apply to you in your Tribe / Support Function? What systems have you taken your eye off? What does test and learn look like? Where are the weaknesses that you are not surfacing? What results can you trust?
Why is this important? Good question. If we choose not to use a system that is designed to serve a purpose then we introduce competition and inefficiency. This may be a great thing in a competitive environment as it may open up a new market or become a disruptor in an existing market. When the system is designed to preserve and coordinate something like global public health then this choice may accelerate failure. This failure may result in greater loss of life.
For further viewing / reading:
The Six Systems Thinking Steps to Solve Complex Problems, Rafiq Elmansy, https://www.designorate.com/systems-thinking-steps-solve-complex-problems (5 minute read) [Designorate, 2-Sep-2016]
GSCE Science Revision Biology “Competition and Interdependence”, Freesciencelessons, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePsjdKoSA9g (4:25) [Autonomy Education, 27-Apr-2018]
Inviting you to have a view / read and to have a chat with me about your thoughts.
[Originally posted internally in my role in IS Governance at The Warehouse Group.]