This book illustrates how to access the right information for making the best decisions during turbulent times. It is written from an experienced-based perspective that is beneficial for those looking for the development and improvement of the decision-making process. The approach is centered on the author’s experience in developing and implementing effective and efficient approaches to decision-making in business and government. Based on those experiences, this book provides insights into how to improve the decision making process of your organization, whether it be large or small. For decision makers and those providing market information for making decisions, this book provide guidelines for a framework which includes systems thinking. For those interested in change management and corporate governance, the book presents examples where it was done well and some examples where it was not and the ensuring consequences. Praise for Systems Thinking Decision-Making Process... "This is an absolutely incredible book by a distinguished practitioner. The range of knowledge and experience that Vince Barabba has had is astounding. I urge everyone who is interested in complex, messy problems to read this amazing book.” --Ian I. Mitroff “...Vince has masterfully blended the art of organizational respect with the science of data inquiry to drive change and realize strategic vision. A master storyteller, he does not just teach, his book brings his learnings to life in a meaningful way that if carefully listened to, can change the course of a career.” -- Paul D'Alessandro Principal, Health Industries, PwC US “In his latest book, Vince Barabba integrates his vast knowledge from 50 years of dedicated work in both the public and private sectors in order to provide leaders with an actionable framework for radically improving how their organizations collect and use information to make the best decisions for all the wicked messes that now appear in our global village... This book can save your company from living in the dark with false assumptions about all your key stakeholders.” -- Ralph H. Kilmann, Ph.D. CEO, Kilmann Diagnostics Co-Author, The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) "Absorbing just a few of the many smart ideas in this book will make you a better leader and decision maker. Thinking systemically about how the hard-earned lessons from Vince Barabba’s brilliant career apply to your enterprise could make you a great one." — Chunka Mui Co-Author, A Brief History of a Perfect Future and Billion Dollar Lessons “...if you are interested in ‘thinking in systems,’ this book is for you. The ‘On Star’ story demonstrates to you how the initial product-centered thinking was proselytized to ‘thinking in systems’." -- John Pourdehnad Visiting Professor, IESE Business School and Faulty of Systems Leadership, Thomas Jefferson University “In writing Systems Thinking Decision-Making Process: How to Avoid Burnt Toast, Vince Barabba is addressing the limits of knowledge management systems which enable ‘organizations as usual’ to share best practices on how to scrape toast faster and cheaper... The examples shared by Vince, from his first-hand experiences in corporate America or his services as a marketing consultant, contribute invaluable clarity to his goal of providing a “sketch of an Inquiry Center Learning and Support System” for those with the ambition to lead efforts to work smarter, not harder, firmly against the grain of ‘organizations as usual’...” -- Bill Bellows, Ph.D., President, InThinking Services Adjunct Professor, California State University, Northridge and Southern Utah University Advisory Council Member and Former Deputy Director, The W. Edwards Deming Institute® “In his ‘last book’, Vince weaves the experiences and learning of a lifetime into whole cloth of insight and wisdom. He helps us to find relevant information from a rapidly changing world and apply it to making good decisions. This is a masterpiece of knowledge presented in a very entertaining way.” -- Carl Spetzler Chairman, Strategic Decisions Group International LLC “This is a truly inspiring and mind changing book directly relevant for our times... Vince has shown through his remarkable work that business and government are a force for good when leaders think long term, work with, not against nature, and use their influence and resources for the many, not the few...” -- Osvald Bjelland Founder and President, Xynteo Founder, The Performance Theatre Foundation

This book presents an interdisciplinary approach to the question of how observer-participant perspectives are generated, what constrains them and how they may be modified. These questions are of vital importance and must be addressed in any discipline before formulating a hypothesis or designing a model about reality. Both epistemological questions about the nature of temporal nested structures and practical applications of our ability to contextualize are discussed. The resulting temporal observer-participant perspectives reflect approaches to the concept of simultaneity from the viewpoints of philosophers, logicians, cyberneticists and systems theorists, mathematicians, psychologists, medical practitioners, physicists, educationists, economists and musicologists. Although the main focus is on the cognitive sciences, as constraints to observer perspectives arise primarily from this field, the book will appeal to researchers of all disciplines and interested layman readers.

The author graduated with Honors from Loyola University of Chicago. She now resides in northern California, enjoys two lovely daughters and a multifaceted career as an artist/designer, educator and mentor. I write to entertain and educate (mainly myself after a tragic accident). Words entertain me and conjure up pictures without ever uttering sound. The accident gave me time to write on an old computer donated by the editor of a local newspaper, and that is another story . . . . . . . . . In 2006, the world silently celebrated the 50th anniversary of a rebellion gone awry. It wasnt just kids games fought with sticks and stones against Soviet tanks, it was bigger than that, it was Hungarys passion for life, joy and vivre that erupted on that day, the 23rd of October, 1956. The media barely gave the event fi ve minutes notice. James Michener captured the saga in his book, Bridge at Andau. Without Micheners documentation and independent research, I would probably have dismissed this story as fi ction. At the end, the matron who shared her plight and joy with me brought out a leather bound photo album fi lled with post cards Olgi mailed from the free world to her mother behind the Iron Curtain. Those dates, the pictures and words authenticate whats written. The story documents the Cold War era, as well as contrasts Soviet Communism with Americas democratic ideals. As one of my critics, one of my students, puts it, the story teaches us to be thankful. The Golden Door is truly a love story, the love of a man and a woman and their passion for freedom. Thank you in advance for choosing this book . . . . . . . . . ..