DIAGNOSIS in systemic terms
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 908 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
We are accustomed to diagnosis of linear problems of the type: “The car does not start because the battery is flat”. This is not enough for intricated problems in complex systems (ACKOFF's “messes”)
In such cases, diagnosis should be preceeded by a wide inquiry about the multiple historical and present intertwined factors that could have a bearing on the situation. These factors must first be brought to light through appropriate mental techniques in groups wherein all stakeholders are present or represented. Thereafter, their meaning and relative importance must be debated and evaluated. And finally, the constraints and synergies that they introduce must be discovered and also debated and evaluated.
Short cuts in this procedure are always risky, even if admittingly design and decision time are in short supply.
Ill-informed action in complex systems generally lead to unforeseen resurgences of problems under new aspects.
For practical methods, see J. WARFIELD (1994b).