New events in 2005 |
Systems - secret recipe or selling point?
SPMC in collaboration with OUSys and UKSS
A one-day workshop at LearnMK, Milton Keynes on Saturday 21st
September 2002
Misha Hebel and David Powell with Joyce Fortune
... At the close of our joint event in December 2001, SPMC were keen
to bring SPMC, OUSys and UKSS together again to take forward the themes
that emerged at that workshop. One of the themes that ran through
that event - and recurred in the SPMC April workshop - was that of
language, and the extent to which explicit use of systems language
is helpful or not when working with groups outside the systems communities.
Whilst systems terminology is essential for the development of systems
practice, some systems consultants prefer not to refer to systems
conceptually when working with clients, for pragmatic reasons. This
presents a dilemma - practice may be hindered by reference to conceptual
tools but how are we to extend the use of systemic ways of working
if our conceptual infrastructure is hidden? This has ramifications
for all systems practitioners, not only consultants. To explore this
theme, Misha Hebel and David Powell have kindly agreed to present
the next joint workshop on 21st September, to consider:
- the language of systems: is it an essential part of the systems
tool kit for understanding complexity, or a barrier to the use and
development of systems practice?
- how do we use systems ideas explicitly and implicitly?
- given the extent to which systems practice is implicit, how can we encourage the practice of systems, to the greater benefit of the systems networks.
We hope the day will assist systems thinkers and practitioners to develop clarity in this important area and SPMC in developing themes for future research.