Systems Thinking in Service Organisations
Why choose this course?
John Seddon
"Current management works, but not very well; it needs re-inventing."
Developed by the challenging and often controversial speaker, Professor John Seddon, in association with the University of Derby, this three day course introduces participants to the Vanguard Method, a unique approach to helping service organisations change from a conventional 'command-and-control' design to a systems design.
- Discover how public sector services have significantly improved their levels of performance.
- See how a financial service organisation achieved a 40% improvement in efficiency.
- Find out how a leading utility went from bottom to second in the customer satisfaction league table.
- You can choose to submit a portfolio of work and business project for assessment to achieve a masters level award.
- You will have the opportunity to engage with managers and professionals from different organisations.
About the course
The Toyota System is an economic legend in its own lifetime. The secret of Toyota's success is that it is a system - a system designed to produce cars at the rate of demand. Many manufacturers have tried to emulate Toyota by using their 'tools', however, if they don't understand how to manage the organisation as a system, they fail.
Seddon's unique contribution has been to chart the way for managers of service organisations to understand their organisations as systems. And that leads to fast change of enormous proportions, with results that managers would never have conceived as achievable.
In association with Professor John Seddon we've developed an exciting programme which offers a different approach to service improvement, by applying Seddon's 'Vanguard Method'.
Are you prepared to change the way you think?
The 'Systems Thinking' approach challenges current management thinking and the way we manage the work in our organisations.
Running over three months with one full seminar day per month you'll have the opportunity to learn new skills and approaches for understanding and transforming your organisation. This leads to an enhanced service, reduction in costs and improved morale.
You will compare, contrast and challenge 'Systems Thinking' and other business improvement philosophies and have the option to undertake a masters level award.
What you'll cover
Seminar Day 1 - Introduction to Systems Thinking
Topics include:
- Distinctions between conventional and 'Systems Thinking'
- Why 'lean tools' fail to deliver sustainable change
- The Toyota Production System and 'Systems Thinking'
- Introduction of the Vanguard Method
- System conditions as causes of inefficiency
Seminar Day 2 - Measurement
Topics include:
- Understanding variation in demand
- Measuring variation - how you do it
- Turning data into information
- Deciding what to measure
Seminar Day 3 - Intervention
Topics include:
- Influencing others to challenge their thinking
- How organisations learn
- Intervening to solve problems
Helping your career
On this three day programme you will:
- Identify scope for improving service, improving revenue and reducing costs for your organisation.
- Learn an exciting new approach to improve your business or organisation which challenges conventional thinking.
- Apply what you learn to your workplace immediately, increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction.
These concepts are relevant and effective in both public and private sector organisations.
Feedback
"I found the course really interesting and the information that I've learned can be applied straight away in the workplace."
How you'll learn
You'll be guided and supported so you're able to put together a portfolio and business case project. This forms the assessed work of the masters level award.
Supporting you
If you choose to undertake the masters level award, you will have access to the University of Derby library, remote electronic libraries and tutor support. This support will guide you to put together a portfolio and business case project. This forms the assessed work.
You will also have the opportunity to engage with managers and professionals from different organisations.
Anything else?
Systems Thinking and Organisational Change Research Group
Sytoc is a research group focusing on the service sector in both public and private organisations. We conduct national and international research projects in systems thinking and organisational change.
Course length
Late September 2013
Late October 2013
Late November 2013
Course fees
Award - £1250
Non-Award - £925
