The BIG PICTURE
What was your major learning from the week in systems thinking? How did it add value to your role as a manager?
I did not pay much attention to System thinking and assumption led me to believe it was purely theoretically and then it dawned on me. Everything I interpreted and analyzed, was in parts or segments, and failed to see the big picture and where everything fits in? The world is complex and in order to understand it, we really need to look at things holistically. In order to do this, we need to apply system thinking. It is ok to understand a part of a system however you will benefit more by knowing the whole system and how everything interacts and interrelates resulting in the desired outcome. This brings me to the BOC study case and the company’s innovative approach where IT solutions and Business strategy are aligned to meet business objectives and goals. The case study only related to the POS part of the business and I was curious in wanting to know more about the mechanics of the whole system rather than part and little did I know I was attempting system thinking. This was my Aha moment:)
What was your major struggle from the week in systems thinking? How did it add value to your role as a manager?
My major struggle was trying to make sense of the information. The more I read the further I drifted in the abyss. I realized I looked at each section in this module as segments or parts. As I ponder and wrestle with information, I realized I contributed to my own complexity as I looked at each subject matter in segments and the only way, I could understand it was to look at it holistically.
How does what you have learned about, in either of the two topics, affect the way you manage information systems in your business context?
As an IT Manager, it is vital to have a holistic system approach, and attempting to fix part of a system without looking at the Big picture, will result in disaster. System Thinking approach works for me as I can apply this in my work environment and personal life. Yes, it takes time, however, it is reassuring to know that you will be implementing any new system with ease and confidence.
