An Organization
This example demonstrates how BERT can model a business organization as a complex adaptive system with departments, workflows, and external interactions.
Overview
The organization model showcases:
System structure: A company with HR, Finance, and Sales departments
Input flows: Job applications, investments, and customer leads
Output flows: Employees, financial reports, and revenue
Interfaces: Department-specific processes and protocols
Key System Components
1. System Definition
Name: Organization
Complexity: Adaptable and Evolveable (can reorganize and grow)
Environment: Market (competitive business environment)
2. Subsystem Architecture
The organization contains three key departments modeled as subsystems:
HR Department
Inputs: Job Applications
Outputs: Hired Employees
Interface: Recruitment Process
Function: Transform candidates into productive employees
Finance Department
Inputs: Investment Capital
Outputs: Financial Reports
Interface: Accounting System
Function: Manage financial resources and reporting
Sales Department
Inputs: Customer Leads
Outputs: Revenue
Interface: Sales Process
Function: Convert prospects into paying customers
3. System Boundaries
Internal: Department boundaries are semi-permeable (0.5 porosity)
External: Organization boundary is more controlled (0.3 porosity)
Information flows: Cross-department communication channels
Learning Points
This model illustrates several key organizational concepts:
Hierarchical Structure: Organizations naturally decompose into functional departments
Specialization: Each subsystem has specific inputs, outputs, and processes
Interdependence: Departments must coordinate to achieve organizational goals
Adaptation: The system can reorganize based on market conditions
Try It Yourself
Load this model in BERT using the Model Browser
Explore how departments connect and interact
Try adding a new department (e.g., R&D or Marketing)
Model information flows between departments
Extensions
Consider extending this model by:
Adding feedback loops (customer satisfaction → sales performance)
Including resource constraints (budget limits, headcount)
Modeling competitive dynamics with other organizations
Adding temporal aspects (quarterly cycles, growth phases)
Real-World Applications
This organizational model can be adapted for:
Startup planning: Design organizational structure before hiring
Business analysis: Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies
Merger planning: Visualize combined organizational structures
Process optimization: Map and improve workflow between departments
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