My weekly posts
No escape, no prison – on other perspectives on systems | cybernetics | complexity
Cybernetics and complexity are best treated as useful ways of seeing rather than complete descriptions of reality. I reject a hard divide between cybernetics and complexity: both can address adaptation, emergence and uncertainty, though they often start from different questions about stability and change. My practical focus is helping people in pressured institutions question purpose, protect agency, learn and adapt. The aim isn’t to escape the fly-bottle, but to recognise it and choose a more useful one. No escape, no prison – on other perspectives on systems | cybernetics | complexity – chosen path
Courses and events
Commissioning and Innovation: playing on a bigger stage
A practical three-day programme for commissioners working in complexity that helps commissioners, transformation leaders, and partners work more effectively across complex systems. It combines practical tools, public service examples, peer learning, facilitated exercises, and direct application to participants’ own challenges. Open for enquiries. https://link.redquadrant.com/CommissioningAndInnovation
Next National Commissioning Academy
We’re building our cohort for the next national commissioning academy – our flagship commissioning programme from the PSTA. Register your interest now for our September 2026 cohort: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
Leadership for systems change with LGR 2028!
Curious about how to lead transformation in the context of local government reorganisation and devolution? Responding to complexity: leading transformation in local government reorganisation and devolution is a five-month programme with the Open University and RedQuadrant, taking place September 2026-January 2027. We invite participants from organisations preparing for, going through, or having been through reorganisation, and who want to learn with and from others to build capacity for transformation in uncertainty.https://lnkd.in/gpX6ZG8h
smartCompass – our new AI-supported tool for AI for community-powered outcomes
Our new prototype smartCompass is a new, free tool to help commissioners, leaders, partners, and people working in public services see how their system is really working — and where to act next.Answer sixteen questions about a system you care about, and receive a personalised, AI-supported response by email. It helps you see strengths, blockers, patterns, and possible next moves. https://link.redquadrant.com/smartCompass
Compass v2 – comment on our new systems change tool
We’re now inviting comments on this beta new version of a systems change insight tool https://link.redquadrant.com/compassv2beta
Introducing the RedQuadrant Local Government Reorganisation hub
Local Government Reorganisation is coming fast. By April 2028, every new authority must be safe, legal, and fully operational. That means statutory officers secured, ICT cutovers rehearsed, services live, and residents experiencing seamless continuity. The RedQuadrant LGR Hub is the only model that guarantees readiness while embedding lasting capability. With a single accountable structure, governance at its core, and capability pillars across adults, children’s, SEND, ICT, finance, housing, and place, the Hub ensures no gaps, no surprises. Three outcomes, every time: Safe and legal on day one; Visible assurance and confidence in delivery; Future-ready capacity with transformation built in. Find out more now: https://www.redquadrant.com/lgrhub
Commissioning Compass: systems assessment for change
Our newly launched tool, the Commissioning Compass, helps you to assess your commissioning system and form an action plan for improvement. It’s available for free via our Teachable site – try it now! link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass
Things I shared on socials:
Well, this is an interesting historic artefact – The Smith Institute, 2025, ‘Smart Localism’
PUBLIC SECTOR SCORECARD
VSM Mapper using LLM from Recursive Systems
Lifeboat volunteers ‘tracked and filmed’ on their way back from call-out
Sophie Watson (03/09/2026) https://lnkd.in/p/e8n7xwyJ
The consultant is in the system: a practice lab for helping without taking over
Benjamin P Taylor, Wednesday 30 September 2026, 12:15-13:45, online, free https://lnkd.in/p/eXseyyDg
