ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the fields of health, education, and local authority government, as well as in commerce and industry. It explains the main concepts adapted from General Systems Theory and developed into the broader framework known as systemic thinking. The book also describes how systemic principles were used to design a one-day consultation to a new hospital Trust Board. It focuses on defining the problem and planning a structured consultation to make an impact within a brief period of time. The book addresses the implementation of a change programme in a large commercial organization. It discusses the process of becoming a constructionist practitioner and creating a distinctive working relationship with clients. The book presents the methodology for using the constructionist model of consultancy as it has emerged from the interplay of concepts and the practice described in the case studies.