I have been trying to graphically integrate four powerful organizational models for several years. They are:
Linkage Mapping Quality as a Business Strategy, Associates in Process Improvement (API)
Sofi (Sofi Systems)
VSM (Stafford Beer)
It seems that there may be a natural sequence in using these models: from most general to most detailed--IAD, VSM, Sofi, Linkage Mapping.
We all notice that medicine is broken up, fractured by specialization. You get the kinds of diagnoses and treatments that the specialist knows. This expensive and sometimes fatal. The business consulting world has its own version of this pathology. I personally know brilliant organizational consultants and academics that separately specialize in Linkage Mapping, Sofi, VSM and IAD.
When we succeed in integrating these models they will orient any enterprise along the dimensions of: time, place (environment), roles (people), processes, and scale (nesting recursions).
VSM deals best with nesting recursions. Sofi deals best with homeostasis, linkage mapping deals best with processes. IAD is a tool for meta analysis or comparison and study across institution.
Creating an integrated model that interconnects processes, environment, maximum viable autonomy, and stakeholder perspectives will be of general use to every organization, particularly the ubiquitous voluntary associations that bring civil society to life.
As soon as we have Sofi and VSM integrated, we will then address the integration of Linkage Maps with the Sofi-VSM hybrid. Then we have the three most useful models I am aware of as a unified model.
Linkage Maps are flow diagrams which track the flow of information, materials, and people. Linkage Maps are derived from W. Edwards Deming's diagram of a business as a system. Linkage Maps have representations of Driver processes (strategic and implementation processes), Mainstay processes (the work that creates and delivers goods and services), and Support processes (support the Driver processes as well as the Driver processes).
> I don't yet understand how CLDs and SDMs relate to these other two. I hope we can work that out in conversation.
Linkage Mapping model a Driver Level encompasses VSM Systems 4 and 5. Their Support Level is similar to VSM System 3, their Mainstay Level is similar to VSM System 1. Linkage maps make explicit the flow information (including decisions) and materials that yield products and services.
My guess is that Mainstay processes all belong to System One in the VSM, Support processes all belong to System Two, Three prime and Three in the VSM. Driver processes all belong to System Four and Five in the VSM.
Sofi focuses on the role of diversity and perspectives. It highlights key any stakeholders' understandings and makes visible the differences so they can be explored in conversation. Sofi has a uniquely powerful way of exploring structure (relationships) across scales, through the use of "worlds" or rational subgroups.
> I think that the homeostats linking VSM S-5 to VSM 3-4 is better handled by SOFI. I think that VSM S-5 is better handled by Sofi S-10 and S-11 as are the their connections with the equivalent of VSM S-4 and VSM S-5.
VSM invites investigation of metasystems, semi autonomous parts, and organizational recursions as well as environmental relations of various durations and distances.
The big opportunity in this integrated model is to clarify the VSM S-2 and VSM S-3* along with their homeostats. I need Jon and Allenna's help.
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This graph is a working diagram for mapping the intersection of Sofi model, VSM model and Linkage Mapping model.
The colors being used (green and yellow) here are not state assessments. They indicate VSM environment and System One respectively.)
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> When to use assessment tools such as VSM and Sofi? When there is significant change. These are not ideal tools for innovation. They follow change not lead change. They should be kept handy. Don't hesitate to use them. Just don't lead with them. Don't try to force the creativity into a framework. Reflect on the creativity with them.
To Do
Linkage Maps (API)
IAD (Ostrom)
Idealized Design (Ackoff)
I know that some models cannot or should not be integrated because they exist in different conceptual domains. It seems that all of these should "fit" together, though synonyms may be needed.
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http://ward.dojo.fed.wiki/assets/pages/import-from-arrow/arrow-url.html