BACK TO BASICS - A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO BETTER DECISION MAKING

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. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]