Re: Fwd: The "Aim of a system" as a "strange attractor"

[Roger Key <roger.key@onet.co.uk>]

Chuck wrote:

>I am forwarding an interesting post from another listserv that starts to
>bridge Deming with the science of complexity.  I know I have been singing
>this same old tune for some time now.... but do others see the emergence of
>this science in line with profound knowledge?  Is the "Aim of the system" a
>"strange attractor" in complex adaptive systems metaphor?

Yup, I agree.  I know in the past some DENizens have not had much time for
complexity - which is their choice, it is only a theory and thus is wrong
but I find it useful - there are some stiff questions for the SoPK within
complexity and I found the application of complexity to undermine some of
the learning I had about SoPK, particulaly in relation to the reduction of
variation and the support of creativity.

Strange Attractors and Aim of a System.  Depends.  If we are talking the
aim of the system then yes a complex adaptive system (CAS) centres around
strange atractor(s) (SA) and I would have thought by definition the Aim.
If we are looking at the Aim as set by management - the aim as defined by
WED then no.  The aim we set for a CAS and the SA that acts on the CAS can
be different things.  This can be the nub of trying to manage the system to
meet OUR aim whilst ITS aim is different.  It will always centre in on the
SA or SAs existent in that CAS unless we purturb it enough to 'bounce' it
to another SA or set of SAs.  Which may or may not be more aligned to our
set Aim, we then expend energy maintaining (or trying) the system in a less
stable state, somewhere between its aim and our aim.

Well that is my limited understanding anyway.


Roger C. Key
Prescient - The Whole as One
[mailto:roger.key@onet.co.uk]
(44) 01639 871062
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