Enterprise-Wide Change: Superior Results Through Systems Thinking

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Purpose of this Book.

Organization of the Book.

Special Features.

Part A: Introduction to Systems Thinking and Superior Results.

1. The Fundamentals of Enterprise-Wide Change.

Chapter Purposes.

Welcome to the Future.

The Systems Thinking Approach.

Achieving Superior Results.

The Uniqueness of Enterprise-Wide Change.

21st Century: Revolutionary Worldwide Change and Its Implications.

The Secret of Constant Growth.

75 Percent of All Major Changes Do Not Succeed.

The “Big Three” Enterprise-Wide Failure Issues.

Preview: The Enterprise-Wide Change Journey.

Chapter One Recap.

2. Seeking a Unity of Science for Living Systems.

Chapter Purposes.

Complexity Versus Simplicity: Our Different Views of the World.

The Helicopter View of Life.

Analytic Thinking: A Mindset Left Over from the Industrial Age.

General Systems Theory: The Unity of Science.

Chapter Two Recap.

3. Foundations of the Systems Thinking Approach.

Chapter Purposes.

Systems Concept #1: Seven Levels of Living Systems.

Systems Concept #2: Natural and Predictable Cycles of Change.

Systems Concept #3: The Simplicity of Systems Thinking Is Backwards Thinking.

Systems Concept #4: Twelve Characteristics of Living Systems.

The Whole System: Living Systems Characteristics #1–#6.

The Inner Workings of Systems: Living Systems Characteristics #7–#12.

Some Guiding Principles of Systems Thinking.

Chapter Three Recap.

Part B: Practical Application to Enterprise-Wide Change.

Framework for Part B.

4. Smart Start: Engineering Success Up-Front.

Chapter Purposes.

Chapter Context.

Smart Start: Engineer Success Up-Front.

The Iceberg Theory of Change—Three Realities of Life: Content—Process—Structure.

The Structures of Change Expanded: Tailored to Your Needs.

Structure and Player #1: Change Leaders.

Structure and Player #2: Change Consultants.

Structure and Player #3: Change Implementers.

Structure and Player #4: Program Management Office.

A Menu of Additional Change Infrastructures.

Further Elaboration on Key Structures.

The Game Plan for Enterprise-Wide Change.

Chapter Four Recap.

5. Clarity of Purpose: Working On the Enterprise.

Chapter Purposes.

Chapter Context: Working On the Enterprise.

Missing Element #1: Phase E.

Missing Element #2: Phase A.

Missing Element #3: Phase A.

Missing Element #4: Phase B.

Summary: Clarity of Purpose.

Chapter Five Recap.

6. Assessing the Enterprise as a Living System.

Chapter Purposes.

Chapter Context.

Some Mental Maps for Assessing Enterprises as Living Systems.

Multiple Conflicting Mindsets or Mental Maps (Versus a Totally Integrated Enterprise-Wide Assessment).

One Mental Map of an Organization as a Living System.

A New Enterprise-Wide Assessment Mental Map: A Business Excellence Architecture.

Summary: Enterprise-Wide Assessment and Vital Signs.

Chapter Six Recap.

7. Simplicity of Execution: Working In the Enterprise.

Chapter Purposes.

Chapter Context.

On the Path to Clarity and Simplicity.

Cascading the Changes: Strategies—Initiatives—Tasks—Accountability—Rewards.

Chapter Seven Recap.

8. Wave After Wave of Changes.

Chapter Purposes.

Chapter Context.

Individual Change: The Rollercoaster of Change.

Enterprise-Wide Change and the Rollercoaster of Change.

The Cascade of Change: Wave After Wave.

Seven Natural Rings of Reality: Classifying Mainstream OD Change Interventions.

The Seven Natural Rings of Reality Matrix and the Impact of the Rollercoaster of Change.

Implications for the Enterprise-Wide Change Journey.

Chapter Eight Recap.

9. Sustain Business Excellence.

Chapter Purposes.

The Mid-Course Enterprise-Wide Change Review: Fighting Entropy in Enterprise-Wide Change.

Annual Review of Organizational Capacity.

Chapter Nine Recap.

Enterprise-Wide People Edge Best Practices.

Part C: How to Begin Enterprise-Wide Change.

10. Working on the Enterprise: The Bite-Sized Approach.

Chapter Purpose.

How to Begin: Tailored to Your Needs.

The Results.

Websites.

Bibliography.

About the Series.

Statement of the Board.

Afterword to the Series.

About the Series Editors.

About the Authors.

Index.