We all recognise that world is inherently complex but what does this mean? From a theory perspective it means that it is an open system where the agents and the environment coevolve and influence each other. This means that traditional approaches that are based on analysis no longer have agency and will not allow us to make sense of the world. It is not about throwing the old out but understanding where existing practices are applicable and where we need to think a new. This mini-book started out as a series of papers that were experiential in nature and which were intended to provide an introduction to complexity theory, the Cynefin framework in particular and some of its related practices. These are simple practices that allow us to make sense of a complex world and allow us to establish what actions are appropriate and how we should act.

When an Agile coach leaves an organization, the changes developed during their tenure should not roll backward. Compliance is somewhat easy to install and takes hold rather quickly. The challenge with that approach is that when the forcing mechanism (Agile coach) is removed, much of the compliance rolls back to the original position. Sustainable change requires a different strategy. This book introduces the concept of utilizing an Invitational Approach to Enterprise Agile Coaching which can be a crucial catalyst for integrating sustainable change by putting the client in the seat of responsibility.

Absolutely! Good leaders are out there! Although not all of them were born to lead employees, just about anyone can work on their strengths and weaknesses to become a better leader! In commemoration of our 20th anniversary, we present you with a new publication filled to the brim with everything you need to know about leadership. What does it mean to be a leader? How do I evolve from manager to leader? What are the 10 Leadership Rules I should never be without? In short, this is the essence of two decades of consultancy experience - our living experience for your lively application.

This volume explores various approaches to leadership from both the past and the present, critically analysing these in the light of possible future challenges and scenarios. In addition, by drawing from the field of future studies, it introduces the reader to concepts of leadership that are ‘future-ready’.

This book presents a collection of the most current research into systemic creativity and TRIZ, engendering discussion and the exchange of new discoveries in the field. With chapters on idea generation, decision making, creativity support tools, artificial intelligence and literature based discovery, it will include a number of instruments of inventive design automation. Consisting of 15-20 chapters written by leading experts in the theory for inventive problem solving (TRIZ) and adjacent fields focused upon heuristics, the contributions will add to the method of inventive design, dialogue with other tools and methods, and teaching creativity in management education through real-life case studies.

Management books and articles on the manufacturing industry have long focused on process efficiency at the expense of effectiveness. Waterfall and Lean approaches are now consolidated, but they offer a partial solution to the needs of product development in today’s vuca world. Once appropriately adapted to the development of hardware products, Agile finally makes it possible to give an organic response to the complexity of the variables involved – from customer needs to constructability and environmental impact – by putting people at the centre. The results of the iterative and incremental approach described in these pages are extraordinary in terms of speed of development, quality of the product and construction of stimulating and collaborative work environments. Creativity and the ability to generate new products are incredibly enhanced as a result. The physicality of products enabled by software is the challenge we need to face in order to become active participants in the fifth industrial revolution. “The Agile Factory represents an approach to Agile hardware development integrating Lean, Waterfall and other practices. It removes the barriers between the office and the shop floor to turn them into an elastic, creative and human craft system capable of quickly transforming ideas into valuable and successful products.”