Understanding the Distinctions

Top management must understand what it means to change from command and control to systems thinking. We help you understand the differences for your organization.

Useful resources:

Freedom from Command and Control: This book contains many practical examples of changing from command and control to a systems design, you will learn about the implications of this change.

Systems Thinking Fundamentals: This three-day program enables informed choice about how this change will affect your particular services. It will leave you in no doubt about the benefits of working this way.

Scoping

A Vanguard expert spends a short time in your organization assessing the scope for improvement. In scoping we conduct high-level check. This gives us knowledge about customer demand, revenue and service flows, waste and the causes of waste. The purpose is to give you informed choice about the potential value of making this change and the scope of the change in practical terms.

Prototyping

At the earliest opportunity the 'check' team and managers working on measures establish a prototype of the re-design. The purpose is to develop the re-design and determine its anticipated economies.

Leader’s Review

All of the above work is brought together for a leader's review. Thus the leader makes informed choice about the benefits from adopting the new (systems) design and authorizes preparation for implementation.

Proof of Concept

The prototype is extended and developed to handle all customer demands; the consequential improvements are tracked with new (system) measures while management develop a new budgeting and management information system.

Constancy of Purpose

The leader begins leadership of the change with the top management team. The change will involve changes to many things, particularly roles and measures. Clarity about future state and the means of implementation are essential.

Implementation

The re-design is implemented. Here a choice can be made: establishing a working pilot (a complete re-design but limited in volume or scope); or making a complete change to the organization. Vanguard experts give advice on the options and best methods.

Changes to Policy and Practice

Following the re-design it is vital to review matters of policy and practice. The particular issues will be highlighted by your Bryce Harrison expert, but typically they will include budgeting, HR policy and practice, interpretation of regulations and information.

Finding Out What Matters to Your Customers

Having re-designed and improved your service, it is a natural extension to step over the boundary and learn about what matters to your customers. The work leads to new services, designed with customers.