What constitutes open-systems research?

In the common view, research entails the pursuit of insights, answers, and solutions—if you will, the “it” of a search.

In the search for “it,” or more formally, heuristics, one assumes that a new datum, fact, or correlation can reveal a new and more fruitful course of action.

Open-systems research starts with a different assumption: Asking better questions reveals better answers; however, the point of asking remains the discovery (or invention) of better—more concise, more penetrating, more comprehensive—questions. This process often yields the most fruitful course of action possible, a breakthrough strategy.

The hunt for better questions and the development of breakthrough strategies distinguish open-systems research from close-ended heuristic—the-search –for “it”—research.

Asking better questions and using an open-systems research strategy reveal the hidden constraints on imagination, ingenuity, and innovation of entrepreneurs and providers of breakthrough technologies: the unexamined presuppositions, criteria, beliefs, values, and social norms of both vendors and customers.

The practice of open-systems research unlocks the potential of breakthrough brand-marketing strategies, creation of new markets, collaborative solutioneering of digital services with new-market customers, and rapid adoption and payback from a digital service.

GISTICS promises to co-create with you a breakthrough strategy and execution roadmap.

To the left of this page, you will find a number of insight resources that apply open-systems research. Each subject area contains several thought-leadership pieces: monographs, postings, Webcast presentations, and white papers.

To access some of these insight resources, we ask that you provide your name, company affiliation, and email address. In those cases denoted by a sponsor’s name, access will also entail agreeing that the designated sponsor may contact you.