BACK TO BASICS – A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO BETTER DECISION MAKING

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Companies these days can be so caught up in the fad to implement the latest “world class”, continuous improvement programmes that some basic principles are ignored or left behind in the rat race. This article aims to take the reader back to the basics of systems theory to show how easy it is to lose sight of the goal. It will be demonstrated with a case study of a “worldclass” operation that neglected the principles of systems theory and paid the price for it. It demonstrates how crucial it is to have the correct (integrated) performance measurement system to ensure that the goal of the organisation can be achieved. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deesdae is ondernemings so vasgevang in die dolle gejaag na sukses deur die implementering van die nuutste “wêreld-klas” kontinue verbeteringsprogramme, dat die basiese beginsels agterweë bly. Hierdie artikel neem die leser terug na die basiese beginsels van stelsel-teorie om te demonstreer hoe maklik dit is om die doel van die onderneming uit die oog te verloor. ‘n Gevallestudie van ‘n “wêreld-klas” operasie wat die beginsels van stelselteorie geïgnoreer het, word bespreek. Dit het die onderneming baie duur te staan gekom en beklemtoon weereens die belangrikheid om die regte, geïntegreerde metingstelsel in plek te hê wat sal verseker dat die doel van die onderneming bereik kan word.