[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# The Viable System Model: An Introduction to Theory and Practice

## Details

**Authors** Espinosa A, Walker J, Martinez-Lozada A

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-19

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Systems Science

**Reading level** technical

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.000004) 
10.54120/jost.000004

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Stafford Beer’s Viable System Model is one of the most widely used Systemic approaches to management. It offers a robust theory on organisational viability and associated methodologies which supports the practitioner to map the warts-and-all reality of the way an organisation works, and then assess it with VSM criteria. It models an organisation as a neural network, where each node is itself an autonomous, viable system, and all nodes together constitute a purposeful and cohesive organisation. It has been applied at all scales from small work-groups to Small and Medium Enterprises, Corporations, communities and nation states, and experienced practitioners often tell of the power and speed of the model to identify and solve issues threatening organisational effectiveness. This chapter explains the basic VSM theory, a well-developed methodology to apply it for guided organisational self transformation, and a recent example of application in a Mexican service company, which resulted in very good improvements in key performance indicators. It offers a final reflection on innovative developments of the original theory in areas like governance, sustainability, industrial ecology and network management.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

An introduction to Stafford Beer's Viable System Model — the theory, a methodology for guided organizational self-transformation, and a recent application in a Mexican service company.

### What they found (results)

Modeling an organization as a network of nodes that are each themselves viable systems lets practitioners map how it really works and assess it against viability criteria — in the case reported, with strong gains in key performance indicators.

## Commentary

### In short

Introduces Stafford Beer's Viable System Model and how it is used to assess and redesign organizations.

### Response

Published in the Handbook of Systems Thinking (Cabrera, Cabrera & Midgley, eds., 2023), a volume built on the premise that systems thinking now has a universal theory—DSRP-484. Its contents were selected on that basis by its editorial team in concert with a team of advisors.

**Patterns it shows** S

## Refers to

- [Handbook of Systems Thinking](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/382)

**How to cite this** Espinosa A, Walker J, Martinez-Lozada A (2023). The Viable System Model: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-19.