Personas have become ubiquitous in many organisations, and are typically used as part of the digital development cycle and latterly transformation programs. Project Managers and interventionists come across this tool more frequently and since 2010 I have seen them used in six different public, private and third sector organisations. For some time I have wanted to do a little … [Read more...] about Reflecting upon Personas
systems thinking
Designing and doing in a traditional programme environment
As services improvement specialists the ability to explore, understand and adapt to the different situations that we find is critical. And sometimes the pieces of work that we take-on are ‘make it happen’ tasks in traditional project and programme environments. Intended outcomes have been specified and work has been broken-down and packaged-up as part of a large program, with … [Read more...] about Designing and doing in a traditional programme environment
Beyond Command and Control by John Seddon
If you are interested in profound thinking on transformation, change and improvement then I recommend John Seddon's ‘Beyond Command and Control’ (2019). And for those of you who have read the precursor 'Freedom from Command and Control' (2003), prepare to be surprised. This book marks a genuine departure in both tone and style and I believe it to be Seddon's best work. For its … [Read more...] about Beyond Command and Control by John Seddon
Systems thinking in Lloyds bank
In this video Justin Watts (Head of Systems Thinking Lloyds Bank) talks about the application of systems thinking in banking. Justin highlights how traditional transformation approaches and the introduction of technology drove huge volumes of failure demand into their service centres. Now Lloyds advocates studying and learning before doing. Watching time: 8 minutes … [Read more...] about Systems thinking in Lloyds bank
Systems Thinking in Advice UK
Advice UK used the Vanguard Method of Systems Thinking in Nottingham advice centres. Leaders and staff learned to study their services as systems from the service users point of view, and to transform based upon new principles. One result of this intervention was this video created to mark the significant transformation in services. Watching time: 6 minutes … [Read more...] about Systems Thinking in Advice UK