Large Organisations

Large organisations can be viewed as a type of system and many of the systems and project engineering techniques discussed on this site are applicable to reengineering/change in large organisations, or to the implementation of key initiatives within the organisation.

 
Key 'Project' Drivers
  • Clear vision and purpose.
  • Feasibility of 'Solutions'.
  • Leadership and direction.
  • Commitment.
  • Gain significant return on investment.
  • Maintenance of  'Image' during change/difficulties.
  
What Goes Wrong
  • Wrong decisions made, where adequate information was available to have made right decisions.
  • Things are not changed when they need to be changed.
  • Organisational initiatives ('projects') drift along ineffectively.
  • The wrong people are put into positions of power.
     

Key Systems Engineering or Project Management Techniques

  • Systems thinking (how 'parts' interact in the context of the 'whole')
  • Operational Analysis  (ie. what is the organisation's purpose and environment).
  • Risk Analysis and Change Management.
  • Marketing.
  • Leadership.
  • Problem Solving and Clear Thinking.
  • Human Resource Management.
 

Case Studies

Many (not all) business failures, or major failures within organisations, arise out of failure to address the Key 'Project' Drivers shown.  Almost any such failure represents a Case Study, if you can get at the underlying 'truths'.  The following are illustrative examples:
  • IBMs failure to adequately respond to and capitalise on the PC.
  • US defeat in Vietnam (loss of a war 'won' militarily)
  • Barings Bank

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