The Learning Organization - Peter Senge

In 1990, I first read "The Fifth Discipline, the Art and Practice of the Learning Organziation" Peter Senge. At the time the book made a significant impact on me as I struggled to implement principals of Total Quality Management in my little corner of the U.S. Navy. Now as I wade into the process of mapping out a process of an organizational culture change in my little corner of the Water and Wastewater industry, I am re-reading the book with new enthusiasm. As the title says, the focus is on identifying the characteristics of a learning organization. I would like to summarize the five key disciplines and encourage you to get the book (latest edition is best) and read up as you plan your Asset Management program.

1.) Systems Thinking --- I could not agree more with Dr. Senge. In fact recognizing that assets are not individual components, but nodes in a network of interrelated systems is so foundational to asset management, that I would recommend "Do not pass Go" until you have an understanding of what Systems Thinking really means and you encourage your organization and associates to implement the practise of looking at everything in a system context.

2.) Personal Mastery --- Dr. Senge refers to people within the organizations committing themselves to learning throughout their life as a master artist or craftsman does. To quote, "Personal mastery is the discipline of continually clarifying and deepening our personal vision, of focusing our energies, of developing patience, and of seeing reality objectively."

3.) Mental Models --- A learning organization practices the discipline of mental modeling, which is the ability rigorously examine our internal pictures of the world. This requires people to be open minded and always willing to question assumptions to make major break throughs in understanding.

4.) Building Shared Vision --- This is the "Reason Why" we go to work everyday. Everyone in the organization needs to know what the goals and objectives are. "The practice of shared vision involves the skills of unearthing shared "pictures of the future" that foster genuine commitment and enrollment rather than compliance." Deming made reference to this concept in "Out of the Crisis" in one of my favorite quotes ""One requirement for innovation is faith that there will be a future" Deming 1982, which demonstrates the importance of faith in that shared "picture of the future".

5.) Team Learning --- Just as a football team must practice working together to achieve that "groove" that takes them to the play off, so an organziation must continually practice the discipline of learing as a team. Dr. Senge refers the team IQ and how the process of dialoging between members, is critical to increasing the team IQ beyond the sum of the member IQ's.

As you review this list of disciplines, think about how your organization might rank in each of these catagories. Prior to even considering Asset Management, you might want to begin to develop in parallel these five disciplines to aid in achieving a change in your culture which will aid the tools of Asset Management.

Listen to Peter Senge discuss Organizational and Cultural change in a short 5 minute talk here: http://www.solonline.org/repository/file?item_id=9002733 .