Systems Thinking for Business: Capitalize on Structures Hidden in Plain Sight

Lately I try to refrain from giving five star ratings on things. I am of the opinion that most ratings systems get over-blown and essentially become a binary system of five stars or it sucks. Anyway, it's just a product, right? It's not like it's gilded and stuffed with cocaine.This particular book, on the other hand, made me really happy. It was a fun read. Some of the topics I have seen before, such as game theory, which I like simulating in Python. My Operations research experience as of right now is mostly just linear optimization, and I am currently TAing for my Decision Sciences prof. I do have a strong interest in this field, and wanted a "fun and informative" read on the subject. I read a lot of heavy books in my classes, and just wanted to get some ideas without plowing through another 468 page textbook.There are plenty of the subtopics covered that I was not well versed with, including the simulation software the author introduces us to, and I think he covered enough for me to add some fundamental ideas, and try some things to play with. I think if someone had ZERO experience with game theory, systems, or operations research or management, this would be like picking up a tome of black Magik. I envy that person!Anyway, the author paces the book well, keeps it conversational enough to blow through it in a few sittings and also formal enough that he is actually giving stuff to look at, think about, and other references to check. I can't say other people will like it, but if you're looking for a book on a few of the broad ideas of systems thinking, this book is probably the correct choice.

Books on systems thinking tend usually to head to one of two extremes -- either disappointingly simplistic or frustratingly complicated. Jolly's book represents a helpful compromise by covering the canonical topics without leaving you scratching your head. Additionally, he offers helpful pointers to readings that add detail for those who want more material in any given topic. This book will not make the reader feel like an expert, but it was never intended to. Jolly has added a helpful volume to those available on this popular issue.

BOOK REVIEW/ Javier LivasThis book transforms you into a new observer of reality. It is a complete course on Systems Thinking applied to business meant to turn you into a new kind of manager: sharper, more insightful, better prepared for navigating your business in a sea of complexity. It does so by providing you the key concepts, models and language necessary to see what you could not see before. It shows you how to use them effectively. The book embraces the cybernetic lesson that says the observer is the person who defines the systems he is contemplating. Without the models, without the examples, without the training it is very difficult to THINK in systems terms. You need the training. This book does it all. It explains, and provides several and very important real-life examples where SYSTEMS THINKING could have saved the day. You will understand why this claim is no exaggeration. Therefore, even if nothing can be done about the past, managers everywhere should take notice that there is a huge field of knowledge in Systems Thinking (and Cybernetics) that is only now beginning to take root among the best and the brightest. This book should be required reading for anyone holding a CEO position of any importance. The short life-span of most of today’s companies should send alarm signals to shareholders everywhere. So shareholders could perhaps make much better questions if they read the book. It includes some questions at the end of the chapters, and some issues to discuss and even some suggested reading. Great job, Rich Jolly! Lots to learn and explore in a neat compact package. I see it as a great contribution towards building a platform for Universal Management, nature’s way of getting things done in an extremely complex world.

Rich Jolly's, Systems Thinking for Business: Capitalize on Structures Hidden in Plain Sight, is an immensely valuable addition to any business library. Jolly concisely presents a primer on behavioral economics, decision science, and agent-based modeling, then adds to those topics a introduction of system science. The chapters discussing how aggregated actions lead to the emergence of surprising phenomenon was a revelation for me. I'm convinced that system science offers a conceptual framework illustrate and model processes in a much more realistic way than more static and linear approaches.I think system science has a lot to offer information security (my field). First, system science's acknowledgement of complexity helps keep expectations about causality and prediction down to earth. This could improve the way that security metrics are created and analyzed. Second, I think that system modeling could provide many benefits to analyzing threats. I believe that Carnegie Mellon has led the way in this regard. I've seen interesting analysis modeling insider threat behavior from CM researchers.This book is written for the business school student, which makes it conceptual and easy to apply to a number of industries. I fully recommend this work as a primer on applying system science in practical ways.