Top management must understand what it means to change from command and control to systems thinking. We help you understand the differences for your organisation.

Useful resources:
Freedom from Command and Control: This book contains many practical examples of changing from command and control to a systems design, you will learn about the implications of this change.
Systems Thinking Fundamentals: This three-day programme enables informed choice about how this change will affect your particular services. It will leave you in no doubt about the benefits of working this way.

A Vanguard expert spends a short time in your organisation assessing the scope for improvement. In scoping we conduct high-level check. This gives us knowledge about customer demand, revenue and service flows, waste and the causes of waste. The purpose is to give you informed choice about the potential value of making this change and the scope of the change in practical terms.

At the earliest opportunity the 'check' team and managers working on measures establish a prototype of the re-design. The purpose is to develop the re-design and determine its anticipated economies.

All of the above work is brought together for a leader's review. Thus the leader makes informed choice about the benefits from adopting the new (systems) design and authorises preparation for implementation.

The prototype is extended and developed to handle all customer demands; the consequential improvements are tracked with new (system) measures while management develop a new budgeting and management information system.

The leader begins leadership of the change with the top management team. The change will involve changes to many things, particularly roles and measures. Clarity about future state and the means of implementation are essential.

The re-design is implemented. Here a choice can be made: establishing a working pilot (a complete re-design but limited in volume or scope); or making a complete change to the organisation. Vanguard experts give advice on the options and best methods.

Following the re-design it is vital to review matters of policy and practice. The particular issues will be highlighted by your Vanguard expert, but typically they will include budgeting, HR policy and practice, interpretation of regulations and information technology.

Having re-designed and improved your service, it is a natural extension to step over the boundary and learn about what matters to your customers. The work leads to new services, designed with customers.