Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager's Guide to Applying Systems Thinking

If you are struggling with information overload, the paralysis of analysis; trying to tame the complexity of the busyness of business; or simply keen on finding ways to make better decisions, this is the book for you. Dennis Sherwood does a masterful job in providing a dynamic guidebook filled with how-tos, practical tools, and insightful techniques to enrich your future strategy, teamwork, and growth initiatives.―Patrick J. McKenna, Partner, Edge International, and co-author of First Among Equals, Beyond Knowing, and Herding Cats

Dennis Sherwood offers a pragmatic view of a complex subject, rich in practical examples you can relate to. Essential reading for all managers.―Tim Cooper-Jones OBE, European NPI Project Director, Unilever

This is a valuable guide for those who are currently trapped in a linear thinking mode. Dennis Sherwood demonstrates how systems thinking helps to break down complexity, and how individual actions affect others in a causal fashion. This book is full of real-life examples of how to use systems thinking in our day-to-day lives.―Andrew Yue, Director, Credit Suisse First Boston

Dennis Sherwood’s use of Gaia Theory to illustrate the value of systems thinking is well done, truly capturing its essence.―James Lovelock, author, independent scientist, and originator of Gaia Theory

If you’ve been looking for a book that will improve your understanding of systems thinking, you’ll find Seeing the Forest for the Trees as the answer to your quest. It provides a wonderful overview of the field of systems thinking. But more than that, it uses thoughtful, realistic examples to build the reader’s understanding of not only when a more systemic solution is possible, but how to uncover that solution.―Chris Soderquist, Pontifex Consulting

This book will bring systems thinking into your business life, making problems – which seem impossible – possible, and in so doing, helping you understand and drive your business more effectively than ever before.―Cary Adams, Distribution Director, Business Banking, Lloyds TSB Bank

This technique of systems thinking is enormously useful to public policy makers, who need to unpack very complex problems and identify the key strategic levers government can use to address them.―Janet Evans, Head of Libraries Division, Department of Culture, Media and Sport, UK Government

The age of “Keep It Simple, Stupid” is over, as business people wake up to the complexity and contradictions of the world they operate in. Dennis Sherwood’s clear and patient handbook shows business people how to Keep It Complex and retain their sanity. Step by step, Seeing the Forest for the Trees tells us how to translate hitherto difficult ideas into potent management tools for change. Dennis Sherwood’s infectious enthusiasm transforms tough ideas into practical possibilities.

I managed technology for more than twenty years and thought I knew everything about building effective business systems, until Dennis Sherwood introduced me to systems thinking – it was like finding the missing pieces of all my jigsaws stacked neatly in a pile. Systems thinking is a no-brainer decision for the 21st century. Without it your business will never really fulfill its potential. Worse, you may even lose what you have now – without ever knowing what went wrong. The question is not so much “Why should we use systems thinking now?” It is more like, “Why the hell didn’t we apply it sooner?”―Colin Beveridge, IT director, author and visionary

IT systems analysis and design is all about breaking problems down into smaller and smaller pieces until you are able to tackle them with simple programming instructions. But all IT professionals will recognize a common problem: when you build all the pieces back up into a system, it doesn’t do what you wanted. This book gives a set of useful techniques on how to look at the problem as a whole and hopefully to avoid some of the unpleasant surprises. It doesn’t replace the traditional analysis techniques – but introduces a new (and fun) one to the armory.―Ruth Crook, Egg Bank

For me, Dennis’s enthusiasm and clarify of writing brings systems thinking to life. He makes this important business concept both simple to understand and exciting to learn.―Paul Smith, Group Managing director, Accord plc

One of the most precious skills that a communicator can have is the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and readable way. Dennis Sherwood has this rare talent in abundance. To understand complex problems, we need to make them simple. The danger, however, is that we will over-simplify them and miss out crucial details. This book is about systems dynamics thinking. With clear explanations throughout, Dennis Sherwood demonstrates the value of this powerful thinking tool.―Rob Eastaway, creativity guru, author of What’s a Googly? and co-author of Why Do Buses Come in Threes? and ow Long Is a Piece of String?

Good organizations only flourish when their people give their best. It is Dennis Sherwood’s gift and achievement to show how effective systems thinking can help realize this happy state. He has a clarity of thinking and ease of communication which will enable managers and leaders to make sense of the complexities of their organizations and see the way ahead. In short, he really does help you see the wood/forest for the trees. This is an excellent book.―Tony Little, Headmaster Oakham School (1996-2002), Eton College

Dennis Sherwood develops the seminal insights of Jay Forrester and Ludwig von Bertalanffy into powerful practical tools for analyzing and influencing the complex systems around us. The usefulness of his approach goes well beyond the world of business into that of government management and public policy making more generally.―Mark Allen, Deputy Director, Policy Development and Review Department, International Monetary Fund

Dennis captures the very essence of why systems thinking is so relevant to management today. No one else I know has Dennis’s unique ability to bring simplicity and clarity to what were, at first sight, impossibly complex situations. This book is essential reading to anyone wishing to understand the underlying drivers and dynamics of business models.―Henry Kenyon, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

This highly readable, practical guide to systems thinking makes it possible for the layman and the manager to make better sense of the world around them, to find leverage points where a small amount of effort can make a big impact, and to gain insights into why putting something right often has unforeseen knock-on effects, both good and bad.―Mark Batten, Managing Director, makingbreakthroughs

Seeing the Forest for the Trees is crammed full of vivid case studies, practical examples, much food for thought – and some lively humor too!―vikas Agarwal, Quality Manager, Honda Motor Company, India

The application of systems thinking to business, which Dennis Sherwood describes so well in this book, offers beleaguered managers a rare combination. It gives new insights into complex management issues whilst also introducing practical tools to help managers to make wise decisions. Every manager will be able to find practical applications in their own business for the principles and techniques described here.―Peter Cox, Managing Director, OMLX Exchange

Dennis Sherwood addresses complex issues in a way that is easy to understand, and more importantly, easy to apply and execute – assuming you can match his enthusiasm and energy!―Phil Bulley, former IS and transformation director, Yorkshire Electricity Group plc