Review of A Systems Thinking Decision Making Process

[Shibeshi Kassa]

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Systems Thinking Decision Making Process" by Vincent P Barabba.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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A Systems Thinking Decision Making Process by Vincent Barabba, is the book found on extensive experience and intensive research conducted by the author, in the public and private sector agencies, in areas of market research and management decision making.
In this book Vincent Barabba borrows Deming's idea or metaphor of the Burnt Toast, to further explain the manner in which data, information and knowledge is collected and presented can impact the quality of the decision made unless done in caution and prudence.So in order to make effective and efficient decision those that provide data, information, knowledge and intelligence should not be left to affirm opinion as fact, be it from lack of knowledge or lack of awareness. Hence this book profoundly focuses on how such a behavior of people collecting, designing and presenting information and knowledge must be improved, so that to make organisations benefit from decisions made.
The author presents several depictions about how he had learned and improved his decision making capabilities, as a result of working in Local and National Political Campaigns and the Census Bureau of US. In addition he narrates the progress he had achieved from working in business and agencies like Xerox, Kodak, and General Motors.
The book further continues explaining the need to design and implement appropriate Operating Design, since the current situation we are living in is full of uncertainty and complexity. Accordingly, the Mechanistic/ simple and certain environment notion need to be replaced by Systemic/complex and uncertain environment outlook and necessary Operating System be designed and implemented.
Several good ideas in how to make systematic decisions have been forwarded in this book.Some of them are, that the decision makers need to be open minded, think in systematic way, and encourage transparency. It is also implied, after decision making enterprises need to learn from their decisions outcone, whether it is good or bad, and paricularly correct the mistakes and upgrade the situation for the future.
One of virtouos ideas elucidated in the book A Systems Thinking Decision Making Process is the Design and Implementation of Inquiry Center, so that enterprises will not Burn their Toast and eventually make fruitfull decisions. The book explains in designing and implementing Inquiry Centers organisations would gain benefits such as fulfilling their mission, align goals,strategies and plans, and empower their employees.

Positive aspects of the book are that Vincent Barabba has presented the book with several illustrations, charts and graphics as well an hypothetical organisation named as ABC which enhanced my understanding of systems thinking and decision making.

I have not observed any negative aspects of this book.

My rating of the book is 4 out of 4 stars. Because the book is written based on practice,rigorous research and profound knowledge the author gained through experience.

I recommend this book to all who make organizational decisions in either private or public agencies.

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A Systems Thinking Decision Making Process
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