Pattern Recognition
Parrots, Patterns, and the Politics of Novelty: Thinking with Machines in a World That Thinks Back Disclaimer: The paradox is seductive because it mirrors the very complexity it seeks to describe: On the one hand, those who are deep into complexity science celebrate pattern recognition as a way of sensing the morphing contours of situations…
1000 Days at BOSCH
A Public Reflection When I received a call from Daniel Grun in July 2022, I honestly thought it was a joke. I was on vacation and picked up the phone out of curiosity. But it turned out to be a serious request: to run VSM trainings for BOSCH – at a very decent daily rate.…
VSM Collaboration Canvas
Designing Collaborative Systems Have you ever experienced that odd sense of déjà vu during cross-team meetings? The same misunderstandings, repeated clarifications, and “we thought you were doing that” moments? It’s not just communication. It’s the system. When two teams, departments, or even organizations try to collaborate, the friction isn’t always personal. More often, it’s structural.…
Viable System Model – Ant Colony Example
This is the fifth part of my series of concise, activity-based explanations of the Viable System Model. These are designed not only to support learners but also to provide ideas for VSM coaches and consultants (especially, when it is about explaining it to clients). Disclaimer #1: As I am not an ant expert, I tried my best…
Viable System Model – Football Club Example
This is the fourth part of my series of concise, activity-based explanations of the Viable System Model. These are designed not only to support learners but also to provide ideas for VSM coaches and consultants (especially, when it is about explaining it to clients). Part 4: A professional football club through the lens of the Viable System…
Viable System Model – Example Small Consulting Business
This is the third part of my series of concise, activity-based explanations of the Viable System Model. These are designed not only to support learners but also to provide ideas for VSM coaches and consultants (especially, when it is about explaining the model to clients). Part 3: A small consulting business through the lens of the Viable…
Viable System Model – Person Example
This is the second part of my series of concise, activity-based explanations of the Viable System Model. These are designed not only to support learners but also to provide ideas for VSM coaches and consultants (especially, when it is about explaining it to clients). Part 2: An individual person through the lens of the Viable…
Viable System Model Explained – The Activity Series
I you are looking for simple yet concise examples which explain the Viable System Model this is a good starting point. The found of the series is the basic question: How can activities of different types of organizations be understood through the lens of the VSM? Overview VSM Examples A family A person A small…
Viable System Model – Family Example
The Viable System Model (VSM) can seem complex at first glance, with its abundance of symbols, lines, and loops. However, it becomes surprisingly straightforward when connected to the fundamental activities of real-world organizations. Since my mission of disseminating the VSM is going on, I am launching a series of concise, activity-based explanations. These are designed…
The end is the beginning – from AI back to the Viable System Model
After 2,5 years of silence it is time to get back to blogging. A lot has happened. I had the pleasure to apply the Viable System Model at BOSCH Mobility, moved part-time to Gerlingen and I published a new book about Weak Signals. But now it is time to share my latest insights and potential…