Skip to main content

Whole System Diagnosis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 1460 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter sets out whole system diagnosis as an approach to gaining a balanced appreciation of any form of organisational entity (i.e. whole organisation, business unit, work unit, team or individual). The method enables an overview of a system, its environment, the system’s internal dynamics, current performance as well as its projections of its future performance and viability. Each step of the process of Whole System Diagnosis is explained along with prompt questions and a worksheet format that enable its practical application. The method also identifies key whole system properties of the entity and points of highest leverage for its development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Overall method uses a “whole part whole” format similar to Ackoff (1999) and Emery(1993).

References

  • Ackoff RL (1999) Ackoff's Best: His Classic Writings on Management. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Emery M (ed) (1993) Participative Design for Participative Democracy. Australian National University, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Geoffrey W. Coffey .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Coffey, G.W. (2009). Whole System Diagnosis. In: A Systems Approach to Leadership. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01194-8_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics