Strategic Thinking and the New Science : Planning in the Midst of Chaos Complexity and Change

Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Book with a Light Touch!
Review: This book by Irene Sanders goes to the heart of the management problem - Communication. By its very nature chaos theory is not easily accessible to those without a basic scientific or engineering discipline to draw on. We talk a great deal about the need to improve the public understanding of science but this book actually sets about the task in a brisk and business-like manner. After reading it you will be able to recognise the special dimension which chaos theory has brought to your thinking about the future. The book therefore provides some of the essential navigational skills that are needed by senior managers in a corporate environment in order to enthuse and possibly inspire others to approach their strategic planning in a more enlightened way. In some ways it is a hybrid of 'lateral thinking' and 'mind-mapping' because it encourages the individual planner to occupy new spaces. Previously these spaces have been undefined but Irene Sanders with considerable wit and much penetrating argument persuades the reader that the journey is necessary. Corporate avoidance of difficult tasks haunts many organisations and the revision of so-called strategic plans on a 5-yearly cycle is often regarded as something for another day. It is possible that this book may enable corporate planners to 'let their hair down' and to 'dream the impossible dream'. If it does, then this will generate enormous pleasure and satisfaction for the author who deserves to be applauded for this excellent book. Congratulations, Irene, on a major contribution to the development of management planning techniques.

Rating:
Summary: Great Primer and Guide
Review: This is an excellent book, serving as both primer and guide to the application of complexity and chaos theory to business and organizational strategic thinking. Ms. Sanders navigates the history of the development of "new science" with skill and genius, drawing in the novice and reminding the experienced of key milestones in history - all in an accessible and compelling language... and that is only the first half of the book. In the second half she makes the science of chaos and complexity applicable - not simply as a new technique for planning, but more importantly, as a new way of thinking about the world. Her techniques (the Futurescape), based on developing "insight about the present, foresight about the future" give new life to strategic planning sessions. I have seen the book used in a variety of settings - from Graduate School of Social Work classes to urban leadership planning sessions - and its techniques are equally effective across a wide variety of audiences. Though her command of the subject is impressive, one notices that this author wrote a book that is meant to be used, not one meant to show off her considerable knowledge. Use it if you want to enliven planning sessions, want a new way of viewing the world, want to engage a diverse group, need a compelling visual tool...Great book.