A Cybernetic Diagnosis of a Property / Construction Firm

A Cybernetic Diagnosis of a Property / Construction FirmThis essay presents an examination of the systems and subsystems of a property construction firm located in Edinburgh, Scotland based on the Viable System Model. The Viable System Model (VSM) presented by Stafford Beer is a topological model that attempts to identify a set of management functions that represent the necessary and sufficient conditions for the viability, or sustainability, of any human or social system. Thus, a VSM analysis is useful

This essay presents an examination of the systems and subsystems of a property / construction firm located in Edinburgh, Scotland based on the Viable System Model. The Viable System Model (VSM) presented by Stafford Beer is a topological model that attempts to identify a set of management functions that represent the Ònecessary and sufficient conditionsÓ for the viability, or sustainability, of any human or social system. Thus, a VSM analysis is useful for all those with an interest in bringing about improvements in existing organisations or in designing new organisations to fulfil a mission. Analysis of the selected property / construction firm demonstrates the value of information links between organisational subsystems for presenting concurrent and holistic views that lead to quality in managerial decisions.