Over the years we have communicated our approach to systemic management in a variety of ways. At the end of the 1990s, the unique blending of Deming and Goldratt into a methodology was first fully described by Domenico Lepore and Oded Cohen in ‘Deming and Goldratt: The Decalogue. North River Press, 1999, translated into several languages and recommended reading in universities around the world. This was further developed after a decade of implementations by Lepore et al in ‘Sechel: Logic, Language and  Tools to Manage Any Organization as a Network’. Intelligent Management Inc., 2011.

Our most scientific publication is a chapter we were invited to contribute to a volume on Complexity from Springer.

‘Managing Complexity in Organizations Through a Systemic Network of Projects’. Chapter in ‘Applications of Systems Thinking and Soft Operations Research in Managing Complexity’, Springer, 2015.

Following in the footsteps of Dr. Goldratt, we chose to narrate an entire novel about management in 21st century. Bought in 40 countries, ‘The Human Constraint’ is a Business Novel with website. See: www.thehumanconstraint.ca

We were invited by CRC Press to give a complete summary of the Decalogue approach for complexity aimed at leaders and C-Suite executives. ‘Quality, Involvement, Flow: The Systemic Organization’ 2016 is available from CRC Press, New York. 

Business Expert Press asked Dr. Domenico Lepore to provide an overarching approach to management for the Digital Age: ‘Moving the Chains: An Operational Solution for Embracing Complexity in the Digital Age’  (2019). The digital age is reshaping value chains and interactions. Lepore provides an operational solution for  transformation.

We also blog continuously at www.intelligentmanagement.ws

Our new book from SpringerBriefs in Complexity

Our new book from SpringerBriefs in Complexity
Published 2023

This book provides the conceptual framework and a comprehensive guide to the principles, methods and tools for managing organizations. The authors introduce “New Knowledge” by presenting a methodology, 'The Decalogue’, that portrays a genuinely systemic approach for managing complexity in organizations and Value Chains through focusing on the management of a leverage point called constraint (Theory of Constraints) and the understanding of variation (Theory of Profound Knowledge). This systemic approach leverages the intrinsic process and project-based nature of the work of organizations. Functional hierarchy is replaced by a network-like structure, driven by the goal of the system and governed by a new design of the organization called “Network of Projects”. The transition towards the Network of Projects requires a cognitive shift in the way we view and put to good use human talent and ingenuity as well as a powerful algorithm to orchestrate and synchronize individual competencies.

The authors discuss at length this algorithm, how the Theory of Constraints helps in the cognitive challenges of this shift and also how technology can be used fruitfully to assist with the operational implications. The target audience for this book is made up of leaders and managers of organizations as well as researchers and practitioners in the field of management and organizational design.

SEE: https://link.springer.com/book/9783031402272

Moving the Chains

Moving the Chains
From CRC Press

Current organizations underperform due to silo thinking. Leaders and managers must acquire a whole-system perspective. This book provides the overview, knowledge and tools to create a practical shift for 21st century management. The “Theory of everything” for management; an evolved and more scientific Fifth Discipline plus field book for contemporary managers. 

The Human Constraint

The Human Constraint
The Human Constraint – a digital novel and online Knowledge Base

“I think the book is brilliantly written, much more engaging than the Goldratt books. It sort of captivates one with a sense of wanting to see what’s going to happen next.” GENE BELLINGER, SYSTEMS THINKING WORLD

A classic of modern management, this book has been selling since 1999 offering a clear outline of the Decalogue management methodology, powerfully uniting the work of W. Edwards Deming & Eliyahu Goldratt.

Our chapter on Managing Complexity for Springer Book

Our chapter on Managing Complexity for Springer Book

Abstract

Managing complexity has become one of the most important issues for economists and managers over the last twenty years. The reason for the increasing importance of this issue is related to the exponential growth of interconnections and interdependencies that has arisen in contemporary society and organizations. Organizations often struggle to adapt their management methods to the shift towards increased complexity. We present a management methodology, ‘The Decalogue’, that is a systemic approach for managing complexity in organizations and supply chains through focusing on constraint management (Theory of Constraints) and the understanding and control of variation (Theory of Profound Knowledge). Through the application of this methodology, an organization can transform its operations from a traditional hierarchy (silo mentality) to an organizational model of a systemic network of projects that is appropriate for operating and adapting within a complex reality. We conclude that the approach we present, specifically applied to organizations with a well defined goal, is a “systemic” approach focussing on constraint management and control of variation. This systemic approach leverages the intrinsic process and project-based nature of the work of organizations. Traditional hierarchy is replaced by a different kind of hierarchy, driven by the goal of the system and governed by a new design of the organization as a “Network of Projects”. The Network of Projects requires a cognitive shift and provides a robust and sustainable model for organizations to adapt and develop within a complex environment.

 

Sechel: How to Manage any Organization as a Network

Sechel: How to Manage any Organization as a Network

The complexity and interconnection that increasingly define the life of organizations call for a much better ability to think in a systemic way. This enhanced ability connects coherently the birth of an idea (intuition) with its thorough analysis (understanding) and the operational knowledge required to carry out its implementation. All this is summarized in the Hebrew word sechel. Sechel allows us to see the relevance of, and adopt in our operations, the scientific approach that has catalyzed the last 400 years of human endeavour. Only with an acquired sechel is it possible to manage successfully a conscious and connected organization, one that recognizes the systemic, network and project-like intrinsic nature of the work of any enterprise.

You can purchase Sechel here.