13 - 27 Sep 2023
Digital Organization Design: Open Systems Theory and Practice in a Digital World
7 EPISODES | LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
This series is supported by
Series Overview
Organizational theory and practice have been evolving for over 80 years. Its scientific base is in general systems theory, and specifically open systems theory which describes/includes living systems. Systems engineering and computer science are, likewise, derived from the science of general systems theory. The most popular organizational design trends today stem from these theoretical roots – Multidimensional organization design, socio-technical organization design, agile development and practice, modular design, and digital platform organization design.
This workshop series presents the open systems model, its core architecture and principles, and how it’s being used in the most innovative applications of organization design today. In addition, the course has a focus on the role of the organization practitioner in the facilitation of design choices and operating models. What we offer is an “applied open-system thinking” framework. It is therefore both historical / conceptual and practical/applied to our current world.
The first in a series of organization design seminars, this workshop offers both the beginner and those more steeped in design an opportunity to explore organization design theory and application, and leave feeling more comfortable with the topic, its applications and roots.
Each episode is intended to be “free standing,” meaning there is no requirement that participants attend previous sessions. Each begins with a small amount of pre work, intended to familiarize everyone with the content to be discussed.
Who should join us
- Those interested in designing the future of work/organizations and how to best bring this
forward. - Next generation of organization designers.
- Internal and external consultants (Organization Development and Organization Design).
- Those attracted to systems thinking and eco-system design.
- Those doing Dev/Ops, Digital Transformation, Agile & Scrum, Lean & 6 Sigma, and Network and System Design.
- Managers and leaders on the front lines of organizations and ecosystems
All episodes details
EPISODE 0
Getting Started/Building Community
In this episode we will get acquainted and get organized as a learning community. This session will connect us to each other, set expectations, explore learning goals and provide an overview of the series. Iteration 0 will utilize an on-line white board and during this session we will get acquainted with the tools we will use throughout the series. We will begin with a history slide overview of STS that we will re-use several times over the 6 Episodes
Our goal is to bring to life models and theories, with an applied focus. We will share cases and examples; engage with you in your real life cases; and differentiate levels of design work. Discuss pre and post work for each episode.
DATE: 9 MAR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 17:30 CET
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: FREE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 100
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
EPISODE 1
The Evolution of Open Systems Theory and Practice: from Socio-Technical System, to Agile Development, to Digital Platform Design.
The evolution of organization design will be discussed bringing us to today’s trends and models. We will look at the organization as an open system: theory and principles and finding the right balance between efficiency and adaption – ambidexterity. Socio-technical design will be reviewed because its basic principles and processes are most relevant to today’s organizational trends and models. In this session we will set the foundation for the other five modules. Socio and Tech AND the Hyphen
Keywords and Concepts for This Episode: socio-technical systems design; joint optimization; general systems theory; open systems theory; whole systems, unit of analysis, design criteria.
DATE: 16 MAR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 19:00 CET
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: €59
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 60
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
EPISODE 2
Adaptive Work Systems and Agile Work Systems
We will discuss the gradual shift from hierarchy to networks, and how networks are designed for performance. One of the questions for this session is: what replaces hierarchy? We will provide an overview of the model and functionality of AWS (Adaptive Work Systems) and Agile (Balanced Optimization Model).
Episode 2 shares case examples (Global Pandemic, Migration from the Middle East and Africa to Europe, Migration from Central America to the US, European Electrical Grid) and looks at applications of STS thinking to implications for current and near future reality.
Keywords and Concepts for This Episode: adaptive work systems; agile work systems; ambidextrous organization; complex adaptive systems; variances; teams of teams; design thinking.
DATE: 23 MAR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 19:00 CET
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: €59
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 60
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
EPISODE 3
Digital socio-technical design (including ecosystem design)
To define digital socio-technical design: structure, processes, how it works. This is about the future and possibilities–what could a STS applied world of the future look like? Building on lessons from the first two modules. The case here is the pandemic and its implications and outcomes, near term and 20 years out.
Keywords and Concepts for This Episode: digital socio-technical systems; platforms, digital platform design; ecosystem; customer journey/customer touch points; augmentation; minimal critical specifications; deliberations; operating model; stakeholder mapping (ecosystem mapping).
DATE: 30 MAR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 19:00 CEST
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: €59
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 60
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
EPISODE 4
Bringing Design to Life: How to Enable the Design Process
This session explores the how of design. Beginning with the continuum of choices, this episode explores the methodologies of making design happen, from the strategic operating model to the day-to-day design of work. In addition, during this session we will explore the new competencies and foundations required to successfully guide a design project. In this episode we talk about levels of design, operating models and the value creating process,
Along the continuum are a series of choices regarding who does what in the design process, along with a set of pro’s and con’s for each choice. Role of Leadership and power dynamics are discussed in this session
The premise is that design is an Action Learning/Action Research process. While we present a linear roadmap, design is, if anything, not linear.
Keywords and Concepts for This Episode: ambidextrous; journey maps; value proposition; action learning/action research; stakeholders (mapping); eco-systems; bottom up to strategy; top down; value chain; networks/networks analysis; ideation (imagination); touchpoint (touchpoint mapping).
DATE: 6 APR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 19:00 CEST
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: €59
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 60
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
EPISODE 5
Organization design consulting: Applications in the new world
For participants to understand that design is driven from strategic and customer data, not a faddish model. “An aha moment that creates a new story, a new pattern of connections in your brain. Once you have had an insight, you cannot go back to the old way of thinking.”
This session is the “Insight – Action” session, so to speak. During this module we really focus on how to bring STS to today’s current realities and apply.
This episode focuses on case studies and real-time applications of the concepts, frameworks and tools we have been discussing for the past month. During this session you will be able to apply design thinking to your situation, whether it is public sector, private, NGO, governmental, healthcare, etc.
Explorations include the role of the consultant, the decisions needed for success and minimum critical criteria for success.
Keywords and Concepts for This Episode: value chain, customer journey, variance analysis, joint optimization, minimum critical, augmentation; open space.
DATE: 13 APR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 19:00 CEST
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: €59
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 60
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
EPISODE 6
Moving Toward Action: Ask Us Anything
A way forward, expressed with clarity, preferably as a story. This “capstone session” focuses on applying STS to your situations/clients; Integrating STS with other professional frameworks (it is not an either-or, but a both-and); and, STS as applied research.
During this episode the faculty will open the space to any and all questions that the participants still have regarding design, digital, competencies (and how to pursue deeper), leadership, stakeholders, etc.
DATE: 20 APR 2021
TIME: 16:30 – 19:00 CEST
FORMAT: COURSE
PRICE: €59
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
TOTAL SEATS: 60
YOU WILL USE: ZOOM, MURAL, GOOGLE DOCS
What participants say
I am learning tremendously from the presentations, I want to hear even more from Paul, Pete and Stu, we are just scratching the surface! and the discussions are very interesting too because of the range of experiences and perspectives.
I've enjoyed all the episodes attended so far. Each one builds on the next, but could be attended individually and still make sense. The facilitators work well together and Emanuele's hosting is excellent. There's also lots of audience participation, plus the topics discussed are relevant and practical
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