Angela Espinosa is a co-founder and the current Secretary of Metaphorum. She worked directly with Stafford Beer. Metaphorum was initially created by some of Stafford’s closest collaborators when he passed away in 2002, to continue developing his legacy, as a result of the ‘Staffordian Syntegration: A Tribute to Stafford Beer’, at Scarborough Management Centre, Hull University, England, in June the 13th- 14th, 2003. The Syntegration was organised by Angela Espinosa.
Angela Espinosa is a Metaphorum Certified Viable System Model (VSM) Coach and Trainer. She is offering VSM Beginner, VSM Coach, and VSM Designer Courses. She offers courses in English and courses in Spanish.
Dr. Angela Espinosa (Colombia, 1958) has been an international leader in developing the Viable System Model. She worked closely with Stafford Beer and co-founded and led the Metaphorum to develop his legacy when he passed away.
Angela has three decades experience in teaching, coaching, and consulting in the VSM in Europe and Latin-America. She has published extensively on applications and developments of the Viable System Model.
She is an Emeritus Fellow from the Centre for Systems Studies at the University of Hull, Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Exeter University; a Fellow of the British Cybernetics Society; an Associate Professor in Transylvania Executive Education, and has been an invited Professor in several Latin-American Universities.
VSM Coach (Angela Espinosa)
PLEASE FILL IN APPLICATION FORM
Aims:
This VSM training package aims to:
• Introduce the Viable System Model (VSM) [and the ‘viability and sustainability’ approach, which emphasizes the need for organisational sustainability as well as viability]
• Introduce the ‘Self-Transformation Methodology’ to guide implementation of the VSM.
• Facilitate practicing the VSM and the STM in organisations chosen by students
• Introduce theory and tools for Performance Management and Self Governance
• Offer a critical review of VSM theory and applications
Approach:
▪ The module will apply an action learning approach – learning by doing’:
▪ It will introduce the basic cybernetic concepts underlying VSM theory
▪ Through real life examples, students will learn to apply these concepts in their personal and organisational lives
▪ The VSM theory will be applied by the students in an organisation of their choice. They will be ‘role playing’ as internal consultants and as employees or customers from the organisation, to learn how to:
▪ model the organisation as a viable system
▪ analyse current shortcomings of the organisation, by following VSM criteria of effectiveness
▪ design a more effective organisation, following VSM criteria
▪ understand VSM criteria for self-governance and review current performance management systems and self-governance capabilities.
▪ The module will be delivered online, and will include interactive workshops with presentations, using collaborative online technology (e.g., Miro), to share exercises and exchange of experiences.
Assessment:
• Students learning and contributions will be peer-reviewed, through team works, and final presentations of their findings
• Students are invited to summarise their learning in a brief critical essay about the VSM and the strengths and limitations of applying the VSM
Agenda
Day 1. Introduction to the VSM and the STM
a. Managing organisational complexity
b. The Viable System Model
c. Viability and Sustainability (v&s)
d. Applications of the VSM
2. The Self Transformation Methodology
a. Organisational identity
b. Recursive analysis
c. Preliminary VSM diagnosis
3. Full VSM diagnosis
a. S1/Environment
b. S1/S2/S3
c. S3/S4/S5
d. Organisational Pathologies
4. VSM design
a. Aligning Strategy, Structure and Technology
i. VSM of the desired organization
ii. Developing roles and mechanisms for strategy implementation
iii. Required ICT developments
b. Self-Transformation Projects
5. Self- governance
a. Performance Management
i. Reviewing KPIs
ii. Reviewing Performance Management Systems
b. Analysing Decision Making mechanisms
c. Sustainable Self- Governance
Course duration – 24 hours
5 days (each from 13:00 to 18:00 (UK wintertime)
Dates:
November the 15th, 13:00 to 18:00
November the 22nd , 13:00 to 18:00
November the 29th 13:00 to 18:00
December the 6th 13:00 to 18:00
December the 13th 13:00 to 17:00
Note: once confirmed the decision to attend, the Trainer and the students can adjust this timetable in the most convenient way for all.
Language
Course: English
Training material: English
Pricing: Course fees: £1000 (including certification)
[If a bursary was required, please communicate with the trainer].
Upon completion of the VSM Coach course you can complete a VSM Desginer Course over the next 6- 12 months. More details