Lesson 13: Whole Systems Approach by Bill Adams and Cynthia Adams

Whole Systems Approach

Whole Systems Approach is developed by Bill Adams and Cynthia Adams. They have come up with this model after several years of working together with different leaders and organizations. They realized that they have to change their goals.

Whole System Approach is a model for changing any business into a successful organization by putting internal systems and internal forces side by side. It also engages everyone’s hearts and minds. In this method every system in the organization is created, modified or redesigned and then integrated and aligned. Every member and stakeholders should be involved. This is effective in several organizations initiatives into a well-designed and highly effective organizational-wide change effort that makes the employees engagement, buying and results. This makes a place wherein people and organizations work hard to restructure work processes by creating shared meaning around work and accelerating and substantially increasing results.


The approach works by clarifying the business essential and reason for change to the entire organization. It is necessary that everyone in the organization and stakeholders participates in the series of conference that will be held. Everyone should attend the conference because it connects people and information also developed during the conference. This is also where results are confirmed, products are created for the next steps and decisions are ratified.


The participants should be all organizational members and representatives from stakeholder. The whole processes if whole systems approach are reduced by the Adams from 7 years to 24-30 months.

The whole systems approach is appropriate when there’s a need to fundamental change or there is transformation is very evident. This is also effective when there’s needs for a new organizational focus or if the existing efforts requires an integration into a comprehensive whole. Stakeholders also need to participate so that the organization could get there commitment. On the other hand, if there’s no top-level commitment, leadership, and full involvement, the approach is not suitable for the change. It is also not recommendable to use this approach is a system or process if the organization is not running effectively or optimally.


Reflection:
Overall, whole systems approach is like remodeling or renovating an organization to be able to produce effective and lasting partnerships. This is also for the techniques, decision-making processes, and systems-wide solutions to last for a long period of time.

By: Kathy Chang


http://www.maxcommic.com/our_people
http://www.change-management-toolbox.com/mod/book/view.php?id=74&chaptered=139
http://www.amazon.com/Collaborating-Change-Whole-Systems-Approach/dp/1583760393