This book is an ideal resource on the subject of systems practice for busy managers whose time is scarce. It provides a rapid introduction to straightforward, yet powerful ideas that enable users to address real world problems. Systems theory and practice is predominantly a framework for thinking about the World, in which holistic views are maintained. In this respect it contrasts with some familiar techniques of management science, in which problem situations are broken down into their constituent parts with resultant loss of coherence.

ISO 21500, officially published in September 2012, is the first overarching guideline for project management that presents a common frame of reference and a process standard. This international standard firmly positions projects within the context of programs and project portfolios and is the basis for further development of the project management profession. This book explains the background, the value, the implementation and the application of ISO 21500 for each type of organization. It describes what you, as a customer, supplier, manager or member of project staff, can do or maybe should do with the guideline. The book supplies answers to the 100 most common asked questions about ISO 21500 with the focus on the value of the guideline for the project management practice. The target audience of this book includes: - Senior managers and project sponsors, so that they gain a better understanding of the principles and practice of project management and therefore provide appropriate support and guidance to their project managers, project management teams, and the project teams; - Project managers, project management teams, and project team members, so that they have a common base of comparison of their project standards and practices with those of others; - Developers of national or organizational standards, for use in developing project management standards, which are consistent at a core level with those of others. - Consultants, educators, coaches and trainers in the project management discipline. They can connect various generally known and bespoke project management methods, models and best practices to the ISO 21500 framework as a common frame of reference.

Why getting results should be every nonprofit manager's first priority A nonprofit manager's fundamental job is to get results, sustained over time, rather than boost morale or promote staff development. This is a shift from the tenor of many management books, particularly in the nonprofit world. Managing to Change the World is designed to teach new and experienced nonprofit managers the fundamental skills of effective management, including: managing specific tasks and broader responsibilities; setting clear goals and holding people accountable to them; creating a results-oriented culture; hiring, developing, and retaining a staff of superstars. Offers nonprofit managers a clear guide to the most effective management skills Shows how to address performance problems, dismiss staffers who fall short, and the right way to exercising authority Gives guidance for managing time wisely and offers suggestions for staying in sync with your boss and managing up This important resource contains 41 resources and downloadable tools that can be implemented immediately.

Prepare for a new career as a case manager—or just upgrade your skills to a whole new level—with the newly updated Case Management: A Practical Guide for Education and Practice, 4th Edition. Ideal for case management certification (CCMC) exam preparation, this is a thorough review of the case manager’s many roles and skills, from acute to post-acute care. Whether you are a nurse transitioning to case management or already active in it, this is your road map to coordinating successful patient care, from hospital to home. Build a strong case management career foundation, with expert, evidence-based direction: NEW chapter on case manager orientation programs that offers orientation checklists, competency assessment, and learning profiles, with available online tools NEW topics on current practice issues and developments, including the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and value-based care NEW content on experiential, problem-based learning—learning practices, training programs, case management team professional development Offers in-depth, evidence-based guidance on: The case manager’s roles, functions, and tasks Key concepts—quality management and outcomes evaluation, legal and ethical considerations, case management process, utilization management, transitions of care The role of the nurse case manager versus social worker role Strategies that ensure effectiveness of case management models Coordinating care, protecting privacy and confidentiality, health insurance benefit analysis, practice standards The Case Management Code of Professional Conduct, accreditation agencies and standards, specialty board certifications Management of resources and reimbursement concepts Case management in various settings—acute care, emergency department, admissions, perioperative services, disease management, insurance case management, palliative care, end-of-life care, hospice, home health care, physician groups, public health/community-based care, rehabilitation Ideal preparation for the CCMC exam—offers a large portion of CCMC exam content—and for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for Case Management study A must-have desk reference that offers plentiful case studies—considered to be “the bible” of case management

This book argues that the key problems of software systems development (SSD) are socio-technical rather than purely technical in nature. Software systems are unique. They are the only human artefacts that are both intangible and determinant. This presents unprecedented problems for the development process both in determining what is required and how it is developed. Primarily this is a problem of communications between stakeholders and developers, and of communications within the development team. Current solutions are not only inadequate in expressing the technical problem, they also evade the communications problems almost entirely. Whilst the book addresses the theoretical aspects of the process, its fundamental philosophy is anchored in the practical problems of everyday software development. It therefore offers both a better understanding of the problems of SSD and practical suggestions of how to deal with those problems. It is intended as a guide for practising IT project managers, particularly those who are relatively new to the position or do not have a strong IT development background. The book will also benefit students in computing and computer-related disciplines who need to know how to develop high quality systems. Software systems development (particularly of large projects) has a notoriously poor track record of delivering projects on time, on budget, and of meeting user needs. Proponents of software engineering suggest that this is because too few project managers actually comply with the disciplines demanded of the process. It is time to ask the question, if this is the case, why might this be? Perhaps instead, it is not the project managers who are wrong, but the definition of the process. The new understanding of the SSD presented here offers alternative models that can help project managers address the difficulties they face and better achieve the targets they are set. This book argues that time is up for the software engineering paradigm of SSD and that it should be replaced with a socio-technical paradigm based on open systems thinking.

From the winner of the INCOSE Pioneer Award 2022 The world has become increasingly networked and unpredictable. Decision makers at all levels are required to manage the consequences of complexity every day. They must deal with problems that arise unexpectedly, generate uncertainty, are characterised by interconnectivity, and spread across traditional boundaries. Simple solutions to complex problems are usually inadequate and risk exacerbating the original issues. Leaders of international bodies such as the UN, OECD, UNESCO and WHO — and of major business, public sector, charitable, and professional organizations — have all declared that systems thinking is an essential leadership skill for managing the complexity of the economic, social and environmental issues that confront decision makers. Systems thinking must be implemented more generally, and on a wider scale, to address these issues. An evaluation of different systems methodologies suggests that they concentrate on different aspects of complexity. To be in the best position to deal with complexity, decision makers must understand the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches and learn how to employ them in combination. This is called critical systems thinking. Making use of over 25 case studies, the book offers an account of the development of systems thinking and of major efforts to apply the approach in real-world interventions. Further, it encourages the widespread use of critical systems practice as a means of ensuring responsible leadership in a complex world. The INCOSE Pioneer Award is presented to someone who, by their achievements in the engineering of systems, has contributed uniquely to major products or outcomes enhancing society or meeting its needs. The criteria may apply to a single outstanding outcome or a lifetime of significant achievements in effecting successful systems. Comments on a previous version of the book: Russ Ackoff: ‘the book is the best overview of the field I have seen’ JP van Gigch: ‘Jackson does a masterful job. The book is lucid ...well written and eminently readable’ Professional Manager (Journal of the Chartered Management Institute): ‘Provides an excellent guide and introduction to systems thinking for students of management’

Leadership and the traditional concept of what makes an effective leader is being challenged in the 21st century. Today, many teams are dispersed across time, geography, and cultures and coordinating those team using traditional concepts of leadership and management has been challenging. Strategic Management and Leadership for Systems Development in Virtual Spaces provides insights into the relationship between leadership and information systems development within online environments as well as strategies for effectively managing virtual teams. Focusing on opportunities as well as challenges associated with e-collaboration and managing remote workers, this peer-reviewed collection of research is designed for use by business professionals, scholars, and researchers in the fields of information science and technology, business and management, sociology, and computer science.