Conceptual Mapping, Visualisation, and Systems Thinking in Engineering

2012 ◽  
pp. 72-93
Author(s):  
Carol Russell
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Conceptual Mapping ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Simplifying Assumptions ◽  
Technical Discussion ◽  
Tacit Assumptions

Diagrams and maps have uses beyond the purely technical representations that engineers routinely use as part of their work. Diagrams can also help to clarify and resolve non-technical aspects of an engineering project, by visualizing hidden assumptions, values, and priorities that might remain tacit and unresolved in a purely technical discussion. This chapter shows how systems thinking and mapping allows soft interpersonal and social aspects of an engineering project to be represented and discussed alongside hard technological activities. Any map or model of a complex and dynamic socio-technical system requires simplifying assumptions. Complex adaptive systems theory provides a conceptual framework for identifying the limitations from different types of simplification. Examples from educational technology and from mining engineering show how various types of conceptual map can help in clarifying, negotiating, and combining different perspectives on technologies in a complex human context – to overcome barriers of specialist language and tacit assumptions.

Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking Approach for Intelligence Base in Support of Intellectual Capital Management

2013 ◽  
pp. 122-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rabaey
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Organizational Design ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach

This chapter introduces Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking (CAST) into the domain of Intellectual Capital (IC). CAST is based on the theories of Complex Adaptive System (CAS) and Systems Thinking (ST). It argues that the CAST, combined with Intelligence Base offers a potentially more holistic approach to managing the Intellectual Capital of an organization. Furthermore, the authors extend this IC management with additional dimensions proper to a social entity such as an organization. New organizational design methods are needed and the capability approach is such a method that supports IC in virtual and real organizations. The characteristics of Intellectual Capital are discussed in the iterative process of inquiry and the Cynefin Framework, guaranteeing a holistic view on the organization and its environment.

Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking Approach to Enterprise Architecture

2016 ◽  
pp. 339-389
Author(s):  
Marc Rabaey
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Enterprise Architecture ◽  
Time Dynamic ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Unstable Environment ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach ◽  
High Degree

Complex systems interact with an environment where a high degree of uncertainty exists. To reduce uncertainty, enterprises (should) create intelligence. This chapter shows that intelligence has two purposes: first, to increase and to assess (thus to correct) existing knowledge, and second, to support decision making by reducing uncertainty. The chapter discusses complex adaptive systems. Enterprises are not only complex systems; they are also most of the time dynamic because they have to adapt their goals, means, and structure to survive in the fast evolving (and thus unstable) environment. Crucial for enterprises is to know the context/ecology in which they act and operate. The Cynefin framework makes the organization and/or its parts aware of the possible contexts of the organization and/or its parts: simple, complicated, complex, chaotic, or disordered. It is crucial for the success of implementing and using EA that EA is adapted to function in an environment of perpetual change. To realize this, the chapter proposes and elaborates a new concept of EA, namely Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking – Enterprise Architecture (CAST-EA).

scholarly journals Multisystemic Resilience

2021 ◽  
pp. 771-784
Author(s):  
Katrina Brown
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Complex Adaptive

This chapter examines the extent to which cross-disciplinary understandings of resilience support the development and application of multisystemic resilience approaches based on evidence in current literature. It focuses on how systems thinking—especially complex adaptive systems—has informed the evolution of social-ecological systems resilience analysis and the extent to which this provides an example of multisystemic resilience. It reviews some of the underlying concepts and principles in the field and the boundary-pushing areas of recent research. Finally, it identifies how systemic resilience analysis can make a difference in understanding key global challenges and suggests ways forward for development of a multisystemic resilience field.

scholarly journals A systems perspective as a tool to understand disruption in travel and tourism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Postma ◽  
Ian Seymour Yeoman
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Scenario Planning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Travel And Tourism ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Strategic Foresight

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of systems thinking and its value for strategic foresight and scenario planning to address disruptive forces from the outside, with the outbreak of COVID19 as a case study. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper concisely discusses the notion of systems thinking and the concept of complex adaptive systems and puts this in the context of contemporary society in general and travel and tourism in particular. Strategic foresight and scenario planning are introduced as an approach to anticipate disruptions in the complex adaptive travel and tourism system. Findings As COVID-19 has demonstrated, travel and tourism is sensitive for disruptions from the outside. To ensure long-term resilience and sustainability, a systems approach embedded in strategic foresight and scenario planning is emphasised. Practical implications Strategic foresight and scenario planning is a competence that can be learned. Originality/value Given the present status of COVID-19 and other disruptors on travel and tourism, a resilient approach to the future is necessary; thus, the value of this viewpoint paper is the proposition of an adaptive capacity system. This paper offers advice to understand and manage complexity and adaptive systems.

Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking Approach to Enterprise Architecture

2014 ◽  
pp. 99-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rabaey
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Enterprise Architecture ◽  
Time Dynamic ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Unstable Environment ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach ◽  
High Degree

Complex systems interact with an environment where a high degree of uncertainty exists. To reduce uncertainty, enterprises (should) create intelligence. This chapter shows that intelligence has two purposes: first, to increase and to assess (thus to correct) existing knowledge, and second, to support decision making by reducing uncertainty. The chapter discusses complex adaptive systems. Enterprises are not only complex systems; they are also most of the time dynamic because they have to adapt their goals, means, and structure to survive in the fast evolving (and thus unstable) environment. Crucial for enterprises is to know the context/ecology in which they act and operate. The Cynefin framework makes the organization and/or its parts aware of the possible contexts of the organization and/or its parts: simple, complicated, complex, chaotic, or disordered. It is crucial for the success of implementing and using EA that EA is adapted to function in an environment of perpetual change. To realize this, the chapter proposes and elaborates a new concept of EA, namely Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking – Enterprise Architecture (CAST-EA).

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