“Systems”, Strengths, Weaknesses and Challenges

Let Us Recap

What has happened? For those of us who have been around ‘Systems’ from the mid and late 20th century we were lucky enough to enjoy contact with the “giants” of the subject who were pushing at the boundaries of thinking about Systems. The work of Stafford Beer and Peter Checkland, both UKSS gold medalists, Norbert Wiener, Ross Ashby, C West Churchman, Russ Ackoff, Sir Geoffrey Vickers (also a UKSS gold medallist) and Ilya Prigogine inspired many to take up their ideas¹. But in the early 21st century these giants have 'moved on', only Checkland continues to contribute to the thinking and even so from retirement.

Thus, far in the 21st century there are no 'big ideas' that will inspire a new generation of Systemists. Instead what we are left with are variations of the ideas from the past that now begin to look tired and less capable of meeting the new kinds of challenges that are emerging. For example, since the core work of Beer and Checkland digital technologies have become commonplace in every organisation. Will the ideas of these early Systemist be as valuable now when an organisation can no longer be thought of as a physically recognisable entity? An organisation² may now function as a network of teams linked by technology and may change according to its needs. Many of the old skill-sets such as in banking and insurance have been replaced by technology. Even the old professions, such as medicine and the law are no longer immune from the impact of digital technology: “Times they are a-changing”.