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The Art of Systems Thinking: Essential Skills for Creativity and Problem Solving

By: Joseph O'Connor Ian McDermott
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Thorsons
ISBN: 0722534426
ISBN-13: 9780722534427
Released: 15 Sep 1997
RRP: £9.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

excellent rare find - By: R Beaumont, 21 Jun 2002
This book is unique in providing a bridge between the literature concerning systems analysis techniques as used mostly by techies & soft management techniques. I have taught both types of courses & know how difficult students find this subject area, complaining of its lack of relevancy & exoteric concepts.

This book, with it's feet firmly on the ground, will serve a very useful purpose in breaking this problematic attitude. Complex concepts such as emergence & stability are discussed in a very clear non threatening way - avoiding both jargon & the plethora of diagramming techniques that are so commonly introduced inappropriately a this stage.

The low cost of the book is another reason for recommending it to students. Unfortunately I feel that it will not be widely used by the people who must need it - computing undergraduates - because of it's title however, hopefully a few lecturers may come across it & realise, like me, it's importance. For once we have the opportunity to introduce real understanding rather than just the learning of a specific technique.

Real life systems dynamics - By: , 16 Apr 2002
The other reviewer is a bit harsh in saying that this book uses 'trivial' examples of systems thinking - debt, weight loss, health, relationships, these are alll relevant & the lessons learned in our personal lives are directly applicable to our business lives. The examples are illustrations of what are normallly known as 'systems archetypes', & are a good way to introduce these patterns which recur on a micro & macro level in alll our lives.

The book aims to take a real life approach for the average person, & to enable them to think about their life in a new way. Personallly, I found the book a little disjointed. Other than that though, the book is a good handbook - certainly as good as any other - to many different applications of system dynamics.

Easy reading, but light - By: , 06 Feb 2002
The Art of Systems Thinking is a very easy read & a gentle introduction to the concepts of system thinking as advocated by Senge et al. However it does tend towards fairly trivial examples & in my view could have used a more systemic approach to its structure.

As a communications engineer I found myself comparing a lot with control theory which is allluded to, & found the comparison lacking. The examples didnt reallly apply to business use but in the softer area of 'self help'.

Overalll a nice safe read, an introduction to the subject for someone who may take things further, but isn't commited enough to tackle to 'The Fifth Discipline' yet.