Ackoff Center Weblog Comments http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/ The <i>Ackoff Center Weblog</i> is our entrée into the world of blogs! We seek to provide a forum where systems thinkers can interact and occasionally comment on/discuss issues affecting them and their organizations. The <i>Ackoff Center Weblog</i> will also provide an opportunity for you to keep up with the latest research in the field and to share your own experiences. en-us 2009-11-14T15:52:11+00:00 nour abdalla comments on "Safety & Health Worst Practices. We Need to Learn from Our Mistakes." http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/09/safety-health-worst-practices-we-need-to-learn-from-our-mistakes.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a73596c0970b yes its true we should learn from the mistake either its from me or from people around me. yes its true we should learn from the mistake either its from me or from people around me.

]]> nour abdalla 2009-12-09T07:15:40+00:00 Geoff Heald comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e2012876383173970c I had the privilege of working closely with Russell Ackoff in South Africa at the early phases of the dangerous and exhilirating time of this countrys conversion into a constitutional democracy.He came here on a few occassions sometimes with his prodigy, Jamshid Gharajedaghi and sometimes alone. I was tasked with arranging stakeholder meetings between components of the recently unbanned liberation movements, business etc. Russell presented at these meetings. One of the movements was seriously militant and called the Pan Arican Congress (the PAC). Their slogan was One bullet one settler and they created the foreboding of a racial bloodbath. The PAC were outside of the negotiation process at that stage, that Russ was engaged. Russell addressed the PAC in a meeting in a sublime manner and put forward the most elegant case for the idealize re-design of South Africa to them. I mentioned this to Mr. Roelf Meyer who became Chief Negotiator for the National Party and indicated that I thought that the PAC would come on board and not be a spoiler on the constitutional negotiations. Roelf was incredulous - he thought that it was most improbable. Well, the rest is history. The PAC came on board, and Russ contributed to that. Russell was one of the most brilliant teachers that I ever have experienced. He was postively inspiring. My prayers are for his Soul and for his family. They are also for his prodigy Jamshid. Geoff Heald: Johannesburg South Africa I had the privilege of working closely with Russell Ackoff in South Africa at the early phases of the dangerous and exhilirating time of this country's conversion into a constitutional democracy.He came here on a few occassions sometimes with his prodigy, Jamshid Gharajedaghi and sometimes alone. I was tasked with arranging stakeholder meetings between components of the recently unbanned liberation movements, business etc. Russell presented at these meetings. One of the movements was seriously militant and called the Pan Arican Congress (the PAC). Their slogan was "One bullet one settler" and they created the foreboding of a racial bloodbath. The PAC were "outside" of the negotiation process at that stage, that Russ was engaged. Russell addressed the PAC in a meeting in a sublime manner and put forward the most elegant case for the idealize re-design of South Africa to them. I mentioned this to Mr. Roelf Meyer who became Chief Negotiator for the National Party and indicated that I thought that the PAC would come on board and not be a spoiler on the constitutional negotiations. Roelf was incredulous - he thought that it was most improbable. Well, the rest is history. The PAC came on board, and Russ contributed to that.
Russell was one of the most brilliant teachers that I ever have experienced. He was postively inspiring. My prayers are for his Soul and for his family.
They are also for his prodigy Jamshid.
Geoff Heald: Johannesburg South Africa

]]> Geoff Heald 2009-12-09T06:22:37+00:00 Julio Freyre comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a696b167970b Thanks to Russ and his enormous generosity I had the unique opportunity to spend more than a year learning by doing at Interact. Russ was one of those human beings that really made a difference and changed the lives of those he touched. He certainly changed my life and that of my family. Thanks Russ for so much wisdom! My most respectful goodbye to a very unique and incredible man. Thanks to Russ and his enormous generosity I had the unique opportunity to spend more than a year learning by doing at Interact. Russ was one of those human beings that really made a difference and changed the lives of those he touched. He certainly changed my life and that of my family. Thanks Russ for so much wisdom! My most respectful goodbye to a very unique and incredible man.

]]> Julio Freyre 2009-11-13T14:00:34+00:00 Wally Bock comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e201287564eab8970c In the early 1970s I was a young fast tracker, recently out of the Marines and with a young family, working full time and working on my degree in Management Science. I was in an experimental program where we did not attend classes. Instead we studied on our own and took exams. One of the texts was Introduction to Operations Research. I still remember it because it didnt require deciphering. Ive always been grateful that my program let me experience the book without the filter of another professor. Russell Ackoff gave me a way of looking at the world that has served me well for almost forty years. Systems thinking is part of that way, but so is the assumption that the world is a connected system of systems. What I got from that first book prepared me for a world where when you push something down here, you need to look around for what pops up. The Art of Problem Solving with its logic and common sense and clear description has been on the shelf near various desks since I bought it in the 1970s. Quotes from it pepper my writing. My father once said that You live as long as they tell stories about you. Thats true, But you also live as long as your ideas bend the way that people think. By that standard, Russell Ackoff will live for a very long time. In the early 1970s I was a young "fast tracker," recently out of the Marines and with a young family, working full time and working on my degree in Management Science. I was in an experimental program where we did not attend classes. Instead we studied on our own and took exams. One of the texts was Introduction to Operations Research. I still remember it because it didn't require deciphering. I've always been grateful that my program let me experience the book without the filter of another professor.

Russell Ackoff gave me a way of looking at the world that has served me well for almost forty years. Systems thinking is part of that way, but so is the assumption that the world is a connected system of systems. What I got from that first book prepared me for a world where when you push something down here, you need to look around for what pops up.

The Art of Problem Solving with its logic and common sense and clear description has been on the shelf near various desks since I bought it in the 1970s. Quotes from it pepper my writing.

My father once said that "You live as long as they tell stories about you." That's true, But you also live as long as your ideas bend the way that people think. By that standard, Russell Ackoff will live for a very long time.

]]> Wally Bock 2009-11-08T21:09:15+00:00 susan ciccantelli comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a66027cd970b As was the case so for many of us who were lucky enough to really get to know him, my relationship with Russ began as I read Creating the Corporate Future. His ideas changed the direction of my life, leading me first to the intellectual hotbed that was Social Systems Sciences at Penn in the 80s, and later to INTERACT, where we enjoyed fabulously rich interactions with our clients, a family-friendly workplace - spouses, pets, and children of all ages always welcome and usually doted upon by Russ, no matter how busy he was. Russ measure of a successful project: the client becomes a friend, and of these he had thousands. While it is true that his passing leaves a huge void in the lives of many of us, it is also an opportunity to move his thinking into ever widening circles. As was the case so for many of us who were lucky enough to really get to know him, my relationship with Russ began as I read "Creating the Corporate Future." His ideas changed the direction of my life, leading me first to the intellectual hotbed that was Social Systems Sciences at Penn in the 80s, and later to INTERACT, where we enjoyed fabulously rich interactions with our clients, a family-friendly workplace - spouses, pets, and children of all ages always welcome and usually doted upon by Russ, no matter how busy he was. Russ' measure of a successful project: the client becomes a friend, and of these he had thousands. While it is true that his passing leaves a huge void in the lives of many of us, it is also an opportunity to move his thinking into ever widening circles.

]]> susan ciccantelli 2009-11-07T11:04:42+00:00 Mthetho khali comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20128756067b8970c It is said to here the passing away of Dr.Russ Ackoff. i got to read about his writings and insight especially in the field of systems thinking and problem solving in my masters class through Prof.Dr Roy Marcus(Principal and Chairman) of the Da Vinci Institute in SA. Prof Roy introduced the book Idealized design in his systems thinking lectures... May his soul rest in peace. It is said to here the passing away of Dr.Russ Ackoff. i got to read about his writings and insight especially in the field of systems thinking and problem solving in my masters class through Prof.Dr Roy Marcus(Principal and Chairman) of the Da Vinci Institute in SA. Prof Roy introduced the book Idealized design in his systems thinking lectures... May his soul rest in peace.

]]> Mthetho khali 2009-11-07T04:32:14+00:00 Burnell Brown comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a65df3d8970b Dr. Ackoff got me hooked on Operations Research as a student at Penn. (Can it really be 44 years ago?) He changed my thinking in positive ways, and I pursued a career on O.R. that continued long after he turned in other directions. Even after his “break” with the field, he graciously agreed to address our local chapter of ORSA/TIMS several times. Russ never failed to share stimulating insights and ideas in his usual calm and subtly humorous manner. And although he commanded a position of high stature, he made many of us feel like friends and confidants (even if we weren’t exactly performing on his level). Although I hadn’t seen him in years, I often thought of those earlier days. He’ll be missed by many of us former students, no doubt. But his good influences endure. Dr. Ackoff got me hooked on Operations Research as a student at Penn. (Can it really be 44 years ago?) He changed my thinking in positive ways, and I pursued a career on O.R. that continued long after he turned in other directions. Even after his “break” with the field, he graciously agreed to address our local chapter of ORSA/TIMS several times. Russ never failed to share stimulating insights and ideas in his usual calm and subtly humorous manner. And although he commanded a position of high stature, he made many of us feel like friends and confidants (even if we weren’t exactly performing on his level). Although I hadn’t seen him in years, I often thought of those earlier days. He’ll be missed by many of us former students, no doubt. But his good influences endure.

]]> Burnell Brown 2009-11-06T16:38:52+00:00 John Guerard comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a65d8b1d970b Professor Ackoff was very kind to me at the ICMST05 meeting at Penn. The Wharton School has lost a tremendous educator. People should read (re-read) his Redesigning Society volume. His ideas are as relevant in 2009 as they were in 1959. His work is as relavent in industry as it was in the University. He truly bridged the theory and practice dvide. Professor Ackoff was very kind to me at the ICMST05 meeting at Penn. The Wharton School has lost a tremendous educator. People should read (re-read) his Redesigning Society volume.

His ideas are as relevant in 2009 as they were in 1959. His work is as relavent in industry as it was in the University. He truly bridged the theory and practice "dvide".

]]> John Guerard 2009-11-06T15:13:32+00:00 J. Scott Shipman comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a65d65a7970b I discovered Dr. Ackoffs work on 20 Oct of this year via a contact in New Zealand (live in VA). I read several of his essays on that day and ordered a few of his books (Im half way through Creating the Corporate Future)----and felt compelled to send him and email and thank him for his work. Within ten minutes I received a gracious response encouraging my efforts and his satisfaction that is work would be of some use to others. We have lost a great light, a great man and educator. Rest in Peace Russell L. Ackoff, you will not be forgotten. I "discovered" Dr. Ackoff's work on 20 Oct of this year via a contact in New Zealand (live in VA).

I read several of his essays on that day and ordered a few of his books (I'm half way through Creating the Corporate Future)----and felt compelled to send him and email and thank him for his work. Within ten minutes I received a gracious response encouraging my efforts and his satisfaction that is work "would be of some use to others."

We have lost a great light, a great man and educator.

Rest in Peace Russell L. Ackoff, you will not be forgotten.

]]> J. Scott Shipman 2009-11-06T14:32:32+00:00 Ahmad Salih comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a6ac11d2970c What a loss. He will always be remembered as a pioneer of systems thinking. He helped many of us change the way we see the world. What a loss. He will always be remembered as a pioneer of systems thinking. He helped many of us change the way we see the world.

]]> Ahmad Salih 2009-11-05T10:15:03+00:00 Alan Ackoff comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a65542b0970b My mother and sisters always claimed my father and I fought because we were so much alike. I chose to take that as a compliment and I still do. My father taught me how to think for myself and he suffered the consequences. Despite our differences there was a great affection between us. I expected that he would live to be at least 110 and Im sad that he had to leave so soon. In my early youth I knew my father as an adept painter of watercolor landscapes and as a very enthusiastic harmonica player. Later on he didnt have the time. Nonetheless his love of art and music was his greatest gift to me. My mother and sisters always claimed my father and I fought because we were so much alike. I chose to take that as a compliment and I still do. My father taught me how to think for myself and he suffered the consequences. Despite our differences there was a great affection between us. I expected that he would live to be at least 110 and I'm sad that he had to leave so soon. In my early youth I knew my father as an adept painter of watercolor landscapes and as a very enthusiastic harmonica player. Later on he didn't have the time. Nonetheless his love of art and music was his greatest gift to me.

]]> Alan Ackoff 2009-11-04T23:50:31+00:00 Balaji S. Reddie comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a6a6b799970c I never really knew Dr. Ackoff . I saw him in conversation with Dr. Deming on a Video made by CC-M Productions . I badly wanted to meet him in person but I think now I would have to wait for a really long time before that happens !! All I can say is that heaven is going to get more systemic , innovative and idealised !!!!! My condolences to his near and dear ones . RIP Dr. Ackoff . I never really "knew" Dr. Ackoff . I saw him in conversation with Dr. Deming on a Video made by CC-M Productions .
I badly wanted to meet him in person but I think now I would have to wait for a really long time before that happens !!
All I can say is that heaven is going to get more systemic , innovative and idealised !!!!!
My condolences to his near and dear ones .
RIP Dr. Ackoff .

]]> Balaji S. Reddie 2009-11-03T22:09:03+00:00 Carolyn Robinson comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a6a649a1970c I was saddened to hear that the bright star of Russ in no longer with us. Russ challenged me to think bigger and step out of the norm. I was always grateful for his frank and spot on advice. Russ is sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends. I was saddened to hear that the bright star of Russ in no longer with us. Russ challenged me to think bigger and step out of the norm. I was always grateful for his frank and spot on advice. Russ is sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

]]> Carolyn Robinson 2009-11-03T19:06:55+00:00 Assoc Prof Janet McIntyre comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a650bf4f970b Every year I begin the Critical Systems Thinking and Practice subject with the article he wrote with his colleague Pourdehnad On Misdirected Systems. I did not meet Russ Ackoff, but his work has influenced my thinking. His contribution to the West Churchman series vol 1 is greatly appreciated. I will post the link to this site to my students. Warm regards to his family. May his ideas be applied widely AND SOON. Janet Every year I begin the Critical Systems Thinking and Practice subject with the article he wrote with his colleague Pourdehnad' On Misdirected Systems'. I did not meet Russ Ackoff, but his work has influenced my thinking. His contribution to the West Churchman series vol 1 is greatly appreciated. I will post the link to this site to my students.
Warm regards to his family. May his ideas be applied widely AND SOON.
Janet

]]> Assoc Prof Janet McIntyre 2009-11-03T18:16:09+00:00 Terry Begnoche comments on "Russell L. Ackoff, Management Consultant & Systems Thinker, 1919 -2009" http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/2009/10/russell-l-ackoff-management-consultant-systems-thinker-90.html#c6a00d8345244ea69e20120a65042a4970b I first learned of Russ from Dr. Demings work. I followed Demings advice and looked to Russ for more appreciation of systems. I was fortunate to have Russ as a professor in my masters program and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of his teaching. He really helped me and provoked fun and curiosity about possibilities. I believe his work on idealized design points us to a way forward. I remember him speaking at a Deming Institute Gathering in Tacoma where he drew sketches of hypercars and walkable cities - a true glimpse into a more sustainable system. I will do my best to carry forward aspirations he helped ignite in me. The best way to celebrate his work is to carry it forward in ours. We are fortunate to stand on the shoulders of good friends who have gone before like Russ Ackoff. Sincerely, Terry Begnoche I first learned of Russ from Dr. Deming's work. I followed Deming's advice and looked to Russ for more appreciation of systems. I was fortunate to have Russ as a professor in my masters program and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of his teaching. He really helped me and provoked fun and curiosity about possibilities. I believe his work on idealized design points us to a way forward. I remember him speaking at a Deming Institute Gathering in Tacoma where he drew sketches of hypercars and walkable cities - a true glimpse into a more sustainable system. I will do my best to carry forward aspirations he helped ignite in me. The best way to celebrate his work is to carry it forward in ours. We are fortunate to stand on the shoulders of good friends who have gone before like Russ Ackoff.
Sincerely,
Terry Begnoche

]]> Terry Begnoche 2009-11-03T15:50:27+00:00