7 Comments
May 26Liked by Kent Beck

I loved this, classic Kent Beck to my sense in that it offers an insight into the internal psychology of the author (and thus potentially the reader) rather than just to the intellect.

I would have loved a couple more concrete examples of situations in which systems thinking helped tho.

Thanks Kent for all your work!

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May 25Liked by Kent Beck

Thank you for your work. Hope you will write more about software design in the context of systems thinking.

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founding
May 25Liked by Kent Beck

Thank you for sharing your journey on this. You identify an excellent way to positively effect complex systems. I've also found that looking for the boundaries between pace layers in analysis serves as a signal for differentiating how to effect change in a system with many layers.

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I recently listened to/read “Thinking in Systems” by Donella Meadows. I found it a very good introduction to this topic. Just passing along to others who might be interested.

Kent, I also liked the archival posts. My two cents.

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For what it's worth, as a paid subscriber, I'm enjoying the archival content and would be happy to see more: I think it's important for us to be reminded of past opinions and thinking on a variety of topics, to reflect on how applicable (or not) it may still be today, after so much change.

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One class of these complex systems that I've encountered a few times is organizations of people (usually employers or clients, in my case). They often baffle even those at the "top" of the organization, seeming to defy logic. I think the techniques you talk about here could help leaders and would-be leaders - those in the rank and file who just want some sanity and hope/pray for some kind of change.

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