Documents

Documents for Downloading

There are talented individuals doing significant work in the field of human systems dynamics, and they are sharing their insights through a number of ways, such as articles, white papers, training manuals, and even poetry. This page contains those materials that have been shared with the HSD Institute for general distribution. We want and welcome a wide pallette of ideas to represent the various threads of thought that make up the field of human systems dynamics. Associates have much to share with each other, and this page is one venue for that interchange.

Please understand that due to the HSD Institute's open and ongoing invitation for submissions, the use and application of any of the ideas shared in these documents is at the sole risk of the Associate. Within the scope of the Short List of Simple Rules, the HSD Institute does not discriminate in its selection of materials to post. The ideas represented here are not necessarily those of the HSD Institute, rather they are the ideas of the authors of each individual piece. Inclusion on this site indicates neither agreement with nor responsibility for the content of any of the offerings. Specific feedback and comment should be shared directly with the authors, however, please send us any general feedback you have about this page.

We welcome your submissions. Please take the time to review our submission process and share your ideas here.

It's About Voice		Powerpoint.Show.7 - Published 6/11/2004
It's About Voice		This powerpoint program was developed to describe an approach to creating an organizational culture of respect and productivity.

Evaluation in a Complex Adaptive System		PDF File - Published 1/28/2003
Evaluation in a Complex Adaptive System		This article proposes methodology and tools for evaluation in complex adaptive systems, describing the critical characteristics that make this type of evaluation different from traditional models.

Strategic Planning vs. Adaptive Action Planning		PDF File - Published 1/17/2003
Strategic Planning vs. Adaptive Action Planning		This brief table outlines the specific differences between traditional strategic planning and the use of Adaptive Action Planning, based on the Eoyang CDE model of complex adaptive systems.

Coastal Resources & Livelihoods		PDF File - Published 1/17/2003
Coastal Resources & Livelihoods		This paper discusses facilitating change in self-organizing systems. It is a study of the resources and livelihoods in the Grenadine Islands, and the changes that area is undergoing.

Short List of Simple Rules: Simply Elegant		PDF File - Published 12/30/2002
Short List of Simple Rules: Simply Elegant		This author discusses the potential value in using short lists of simple rules in organizational development. Describing one team's use of simple rules to develop basic foundations of an organization, she also poses areas for further consideration.

Organizational Change Framework		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
Organizational Change Framework		In this tool, responses to questions set allow an individual to plot a profile of him- or herself as a facilitator of change.

STAR Handbook		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
STAR Handbook		Using the Generative Relationship Star, invented by Dr. Brenda Zimmerman, this provides tools and techniques to help community groups work together most productively.

Working Across Cultures		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
Working Across Cultures		This article looks at organizational culture through the lens of complex adaptive systems, focusing on fitness and fitness landscapes.

Creative Chaos		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
Creative Chaos		In this paper the authors use metaphors from complexity to describe and examine the creative process. Designed as an interactive session, the dialogue engages readers in exploring their own creativity in light of those images.

The Matrix of Complexity		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
The Matrix of Complexity		Offering a context for developing a coherent framework to bring together differing approaches to the study of complexity, the author also shows how each approach can support the development of co-evolutionary theory.

The Robin Hood Syndrome: Street Gangs as CASs		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
The Robin Hood Syndrome: Street Gangs as CASs		This article uses the perspectives of complexity to describe and explain behaviors related to gangs. It also provides CAS-inspired intervention strategies and possibilities for future research.

Using Complexity to Facilitate Self-Organization		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
Using Complexity to Facilitate Self-Organization		Team building is generally successful if members and the leader are open, trusting, and committed. When these conditions are absent, the team is dysfunctional. Themes from complexity science are used to explain and proscribe interventions.

Brief Introduction to Complexity in Organizations		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
Brief Introduction to Complexity in Organizations		This paper presents a brief introduction to some of the major themes of the applications of chaos science to organzational development and behavior.

The Beast		PDF File - Published 12/27/2002
The Beast		This powerful essay uses a complexity perspective to examine human violence--its dynamics, how it escalates, and some strategies for intervention and prevention.