System Three

The metasystem component “synoptically and synergistically concerned with the optimal operation of System One — the inside and now of the enterprise” (HOE 1979: 142).

What Beer says

• Once discriminated as “inside-and-now”, “we shall also need to discriminate a System Four — to deal with (let’s call it) the outside-and-then” (DTS 1985: 111).
• BOTF: three information kinds converge — command axis as controller, upward filter, and “an algedonode”; sole recipient of System Two’s upward filter; parasympathetic circuits (BOTF 1981: 176).
• Resource bargain: the “deal” on autonomy — “THESE will be tackled (and not those)” with resources provided (DTS 1985: 38–39).
• Audit (Three*): sporadic, “by agreement with System One management”, “straight to the operations themselves” — sixth vertical channel (DTS 1985: 82); “a typical 3* function” (DTS 1985: 144).

Where it sits in the model

Holds system-one via six vertical components; receives system-two. Debarred from the external/future, so system-four is born (HOE 1979: 143). With Four, the homeostat system-five monitors. “System Three in practice really runs the enterprise” (HOE 1979: 263).

Textual notes

Six vertical components differ. HOE 1979: 142–143: three “by happenstance” (environments, operations, System One managers as a team) plus three designed (command, Two, auditing). DTS 1985: 81–82: (i) Corporate Intervention, (ii) Resource Bargain, (iii) operational linkages, (iv) environmental intersects, (v) System Two, (vi) audits. DTS splits command; drops managers-as-team (DTS 1985: 84).

Open points

HOE figure labels for “3*” not checked (text layer only).

Related

overview · pure-vsm-part-ii-the-viable-system-model · system-one · system-two · system-four · system-five · algedonic-signal