Bigger Pictures for Innovation: Creating Solutions, Managing Enterprises, and Influencing Policies

This book is a collection of stories about the author's experiences as an engineer and the lessons he learned from research and practice. The lessons focus on people and organizations, often enabled by technology, and the settings range from airplanes, power plants, and communication networks to ecosystems that enable education, healthcare, and transportation. The author sought to understand the bigger picture to find the sources of requirements, constraints, norms, and values and found that higher levels of an ecosystem often provide the resources and dictate the constraints imposed on lower levels. The answers to the question were not just technical and economic, but also reflected eons of social and political priorities. The stories and lessons provide useful perspectives on change and the understanding of people and organizations that emerges from these lessons can help to enable transformative change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a collection of stories about the author's experiences as an engineer over several decades, highlighting the lessons learned through research and practice. These lessons revolve around people and organizations, often facilitated by technology. The settings explored range from airplanes, power plants, and communication networks to ecosystems that support education, healthcare, and transportation. Within these diverse contexts, behavioral and social phenomena emerge as crucial factors that require understanding and influence.

The author's work in these domains has frequently prompted the question: Why does it work like that? Driven by a desire to grasp the broader context, the author sought to identify the origins of requirements, constraints, norms, and values. Their goal was to understand what could be altered, albeit often requiring considerable effort to overcome resistance.

What the author discovered was that higher levels of an ecosystem often provide the resources and set the constraints for lower levels. These prescriptions, while not mere commands, also reflect values and cultural norms. Consequently, the answers to the question went beyond technical and economic considerations. Often, they reflected centuries of social and political priorities. The endeavors described in the book frequently involved addressing emerging realities rather than merely maintaining the status quo.

This book represents an ongoing exploration of these larger perspectives. The stories and lessons contained herein offer valuable insights into change. The understanding of people and organizations that emerges from these lessons has the potential to enable transformative change. Fundamental change, however, is a deeply human-centric endeavor, not just for the individuals and organizations seeking change but also for the individuals assisting them. Throughout the unfolding stories, you will encounter many of these individuals.

The genesis of this book lies in the author's passion for engineering and their commitment to lifelong learning. Drawing from their extensive experience and observations, they have crafted a narrative that reflects the complexities and challenges of the engineering profession. The book aims to inspire and educate readers, providing valuable insights into the world of engineering and its impact on society.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032430553