A new systems perspective in Transnet
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The document discusses Transnet SOC's approach to systems thinking and innovation, emphasizing the importance of a systems perspective for enhancing business practices and creating value. It explores the concepts of systems engineering, methodologies, and the S-teams paradigm as a means to address complex challenges and foster collaboration across organizational boundaries. Ultimately, adopting this paradigm could improve understanding and alignment within Transnet to innovate effectively in its operational environment.
A new systems perspective in Transnet
- 1. Wits TCSE Partnering for Systems Solutions A New Systems Perspective in Context of Transnet One Company Innovation in Transnet 21 April 2016 1
- 2. Agenda 2 Who / What is Transnet SOC What is Innovation What is a System(s) Perspectives S-TEAMS Paradigm
- 3. Who / What is Transnet SOC 3 • Dates back to 1850. • Transnet’s Strategic Intent assists in creating valuable business opportunities that extend far beyond the shorelines and borders of the country. • Transnet is the largest and most crucial part of the freight logistics chain that delivers goods to every South African. • “We deliver integrated, efficient, safe, reliable and cost-effective services to South Africa.” • “Moving Freight Reliably (safely)”
- 4. Who / What is Transnet SOC 4
- 5. Innovation BusinessDictionary.com defines innovation as: • The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay. • To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need. • Innovation involves deliberate application of information, imagination and initiative in deriving greater or different values from resources, and includes all processes by which new ideas are generated and converted into useful products. • In business, innovation often results when ideas are applied by the company in order to further satisfy the needs and expectations of the customers. 5
- 7. What is a System Look at a motor car as a (sub-) system…. 7
- 8. What is a System From Rechtin, Systems Architecting of Organizations: Why Eagles Can’t Swim: – “A ‘system’ is a construct or collection of different elements that together produce results not obtainable by the elements alone. – The elements, or parts, can include people, hardware, software, facilities, policies, and documents; that is, all things required to produce system-level results.” 8
- 9. The same situation can be viewed from a number of perspectives, influenced by a number of elements such as personal beliefs, culture, business motives, personal motives, experiences and even fears. Perspectives
- 10. Perspectives
- 11. S-TEAMS Paradigm Simple Definition of paradigm : a model or pattern for something that may be copied : a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about Merriam-Webster
- 14. Systems Approach The primary purpose of applying a Systems Approach is to achieve a common understanding and buy-in of the System of Interest (SoI) as well as the Containing System and its boundaries. 14
- 15. Systems Approach • A Systems Approach requires that all the elements participating in the constitution of a system as defined, are viewed in a holistic fashion, understanding – sometimes intuitively and sometimes analytically – the synergistic behaviour of all these elements to form the System. • A system can also be part of a greater system of systems and/or have sibling and/or sub-systems. • A system is often not immediately recognised for what it is, usually it require a conscious effort by participants to collectively describe the System boundaries and elements.
- 16. Systems Approach There exist two levels of a system that is under review: • The System of Interest (SoI) which comprises the collection of all elements, or sub-systems, making up the system that is being addressed for whichever purpose and • The Containing System which describes the environment within which the System of Interest finds itself in, usually determined by means of establishing what external influences – inward- or outward directed – there are between the SoI and its environment. 16
- 18. Transnet’s Systems Approach • How would Transnet draw its System of Interest as well as its Containing System? • Will it be identical for everyone here today? • How should we go about it? • Could we build a consensus Transnet systems approach view with due appreciation of cause-effect and interrelatedness between the elements, clearly identifying the contributing elements and environment? • Could it be a possible way to enhance the Transnet 1- Company vision? 18
- 19. Systems Thinking The primary purpose of applying Systems Thinking is to create an understanding and appreciation of multiple views on the same situation / problem / opportunity at hand, in order to effectively address it. 19
- 20. Systems Thinking • Peter Senge, a leader in the field, defines systems thinking as a discipline for seeing wholes and a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static snapshots (Senge, 1990). • We prefer to apply “systems thinking” in terms of appreciating the context and intent of the viewer, in terms of how (s)he views the containing - as well as system of interest for his/her specific purpose at the time. • “How does the viewer perceive the identified system and for what purpose?” • This leads to an appreciation for multiple perspectives or – views. 20
- 21. Systems Thinking – Multiple Views
- 23. DoDAF Linkages between Views 23
- 24. The World as a System – INCOSE Vision 2025
- 25. Transnet’s Systems Thinking View • What would Transnet’s Systems Thinking View(s) look like? – LTPF? – MDS? – ODs / Organisational? – Triple bottom line (3BL)? – New business? – Operational efficiency? – Transnet International Holdings? 25
- 26. Systems Engineering 26 We can see that SE is a well-recognised discipline….
- 27. Systems Engineering From Rechtin, Systems Architecting of Organizations: Why Eagles Can’t Swim: – “Systems engineering is a methodical, disciplined approach for the design, realization, technical management, operations, and retirement of a system. – A ‘system’ is a construct or collection of different elements that together produce results not obtainable by the elements alone. – The elements, or parts, can include people, hardware, software, facilities, policies, and documents; that is, all things required to produce system-level results.” 27
- 28. Remember our Car Example?
- 29. Systems Engineering • Is systems engineering the same as engineering systems? 29
- 30. Systems Engineering Most systems engineers accept the following basic core concepts: • Understand the whole problem before you try to solve it. • Translate the problem into measurable requirements. • Examine all feasible alternatives before selecting a solution. • Make sure you consider the total system life cycle. The birth to death concept extends to maintenance, replacement and decommission. If these are not considered in the other tasks, major life cycle costs can be ignored. • Make sure to test the total system before delivering it. • Document everything.
- 31. SE Does not Substitute Management or PM 31 Sets goals, strategies, objectives = MDS Creates the roadmap on how to get there and keeps the train on track Provides technical, holistic inputs, guidance, manages the design, trade-offs and implementation of the systems solution A Systems understanding is required at all levels
- 32. Systems Science An interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of complex systems in nature, society, and science, aiming at developing interdisciplinary foundations that are applicable in a variety of areas including engineering, biology, medicine and social sciences. (ww.yourdictionary.com/systems-science#tTYv4KcArycxMAl4.99 accessed 16 April 2016). 32
- 33. Typical Systems Science Elements • Open Systems and General Systems Theory • Cybernetics • Operations Research • Systems Analysis • System Dynamics • Organizational Cybernetics • Hard and Soft Systems Thinking • Critical Systems Thinking 33
- 34. Why an S-TEAMS Paradigm The S-TEAMS Paradigm is designed to: • address a given situation / problem / opportunity, • with a systems point of departure, • transcending organisational, disciplinary and other (artificial or real) boundaries. Next a series of systems methodological examples will be presented for consideration by Transnet as a new systems perspective on Transnet 1-Company in order to further the goal of INNOVATION. A Systems paradigm does not replace any other best practice, it is aimed at enhancing individual / collective practices into a synergistic whole that transcends the sum of the collective parts of the System.
- 35. Systems (ATES) Methodologies • Systems Methodologies can loosely be described as best practice methods that have been developed and tested over time to achieve the desired Systems Paradigm results. • There exist preferred methodologies for purposes of Systems Approach, - Thinking, - Engineering and – Science. • No single methodology is applicable throughout this series of systems practices, and the systems practitioner should always pay close attention to the intent and purpose and choose and tailor methodologies accordingly.
- 36. How to Implement Systems ….. Approach…. Thinking…. Engineering…. Science…. HOW to do the WHAT 36
- 37. Systems Approach: Rich Pictures Bell, Simon and Morse, Stephen (2012). How people use Rich Pictures. In: Open University Colloquium. Pictures to Help People Think and Act., 07 March 2012, Open University, Milton Keynes. Rich Pictures and their Effectiveness Jenny Coady, B.Sc. Dept. of P&Q Waterford Institute of Technology • Rich pictures are drawn at the pre-analysis stage, before you know clearly which parts of the situation should best be regarded as process and which as structure. • Rich Picture is a free form type of diagrammatic representation especially as a tool to help groups arrive at a consensual analysis of a situation. • There are many ways of doing Rich Pictures. • Flipcharts / white board, different colour pens, etc. • Two primary “rules”: – The paper/board has to be visible to all members of the group at all times so it is clear to all what decisions have been made as to the components and linkages within the system. – text should be avoided as diagrams are much easier to appreciate visually and take up far less space.
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- 39. Systems Thinking • Methodologies include DeBono’s 6x Thinking Hats and CATWOE. 39
- 40. Systems Thinking; CATWOE Perspectives
- 42. Spiral 42
- 44. So What? Transnet 1-Company – Innovation in Transnet By adopting an S-TEAMS Paradigm, Transnet could potentially reinforce its common understanding, vision, goals and objectives and work across boundaries of all kinds, creating fertile environments to innovate not only within one sub-organisation, but within Transnet 1-Company in its containing environment. It is a proposed MINDSET about Transnet 1-Company. Transnet 1-Company Operational Concept followed by its Concept of Operations… 44
- 45. 45 Thank you