The VSM Guide |
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An introduction to the
Viable System Model
as a diagnostic & design tool
for co-operatives & federations
Jon Walker
Version 3.2 (2020)
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Introduction
Preface
Section 0: Cybernetic Eyes
Section 1: The Quick Guide to the VSM
Section 2: Case Studies
Hebden Water Milling 1985
Triangle Wholefoods 1986
One Mondragon Co-operative 1991
Section 3: Preliminary Diagnosis
Janus interlude
Section 4: Designing Autonomy
Section 5: The Internal Balance
Section 6: Information Systems
Section 7: Balance with the Environment
Section 8: Policy Systems
Section 9: The Whole System
Section 10: Application to Federations
Bibliography
Links
Appendix 1: Levels of Recursion
Appendix 2: Variety
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
compiled by John Waters
For the theoretical background to the VSM and for an account of Beer's work
in Chile, refer to:
The VSM is further developed, from a different perspective and with refinement/standardization of the terminology and diagrammatic conventions, in:
The Heart of Enterprise
Stafford Beer (John Wiley, 1979)
A companion volume to "Brain of the Firm" which develops and illuminates the VSM from additional perspectives. Diagnosing the System for Organizations
Stafford Beer (John Wiley, 1985)
A guide (aimed at managers) to applying the VSM. The Viable Systems Model: Interpretations and Applications of Stafford Beer's VSM
ed Raul Espejo & Roger Harnden (John Wiley, 1989)
A diverse collection of papers dealing with many different aspects of the VSM and the foundations on which it is built. Case studies, critical reinterpretations and alternative perspectives.
Further useful and illuminating material can be found in the following:
Platform for Change
Stafford Beer (John Wiley, 1975)
A book which, while not explicitly mentioning the Viable System Model, deals with many issues fundamental to the continuing viability of human systems. Designing Freedom
Stafford Beer (John Wiley, 1974)
A series of six lectures, originally broadcast on Canadian radio, briefly covering some of the same ground as "Platform for Change". Decision and Control
Stafford Beer (John Wiley, 1966)
A cybernetic treatment of Operations Research. A Complexity Approach to Sustainability Theory and Application
Angela Espinosa & Jon Walker (Imperial College Press, 2011) An Introduction to Cybernetics
W. Ross Ashby (Chapman and Hall, 1956)
A thorough and accessible introduction to many aspects of the theoretical foundations upon which the VSM was built. In particular this book introduces, develops and justifies the Law of Requisite Variety. It is now available in PDF format. Design for a Brain 2/e
W. Ross Ashby (Chapman and Hall, 1960)
This book illustrates a number of very important concepts, including homeostasis and ultrastability.
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