Sociologists note that humans are unique in their invention and adoption of tools. Among these human-made tools are the systems and procedures that govern, direct, and enable modern societies to function. These tools also include the systems that enable the actions of commerce and exchange. Systems enable patterns of work and reward and the conduct of participants in enterprise. For our modern age, systems have never been more relevant as the speed of society and the enhancement of information access and opportunity for social interaction increase. Almost all aspects of modern commerce, modern society, and modern life are connected the designs of humanity. Much of what defines the pace and practices of our modern age are systems and technology-enabled.
Designers matter. To be a designer implies the task of creating something, or of being creative in a particular area of expertise. Part of being a systems innovator includes being a designer. It is worth considering that the fields of “systems design” and “organization design” are similar as both incorporate creatable, changeable, and linkable elements.
Designers seek the requirements and expectations, identify the objectives and measurements of success, give structure to the elements, and form to the components of systems. Success or failure hinge on the ability of a designer to attain the proper requirements and expectations of a system. For example, a systems innovator plans to design a new cell phone network for 500,000 subscribers. Unfortunately, the innovator fails to include the requirement of future growth of the cell phone network to 2,000,000 individuals in five years. When the network is built, per the design of the innovator, new cell phone subscribers must be turned-away from accessing the network because of the omitted designer requirement. Since the designer failed to include the proper requirements, this omission diminishes the success of the system.
In addition to developing a structural plan for a system, designers must manage the process of systems development, to include overseeing systems implementation, adoption, and continuing operation. Design also sometimes involves the augmentation and extension of an existing system. Part of being a systems innovator includes the enhancement of an existing or legacy system with a new idea, method, or technological device.
Extending the life of a useful system, or upgrading capabilities to better align with the enterprise objective, may be the best service of the systems innovator. Often, it is easier to enhance an existing system, than it is to decode, decipher, or replace such a system.
Social systems are tools designed by humanity. These systems reflect the bias and the values of the designers, or those that task the designers with requirements and expectations. Thus, designers, who create rules, influence systems greatly. Essential elements of the process and product of system development include the unique style and preferences of a designer.
Designers leave their mark, their trail, and their values reflected in the tools they produce. Style and preferences also guide systems implementation. It is also important to note that systems are networks of interacting elements. Thus, the aggregate “whole” of a large system may be more capable, stronger, or beneficial than the sum of its individual components – or it might be less so. Systems amplify the strengths and the weakness of their design. Ideally, well-designed systems amplify the benefits of their individual components.
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