public policy and governance
design course

why the course is needed

Current policy development is mostly lobby-driven and uncoordinated and the regulation of many industries violates generic (w)holistic governance principles. This perpetuates undesirable societal development, insufficient, inappropriate and unsustainable delivery of public goods and services, unsustainable industries, fragmented supply chains, excessive consumerism and negative impacts on the planet. It also entrenches the current economic, social and political systems that co-produce society’s complex problems ranging from poverty to climate change.

Creating a sustainable world and desirable societal development requires a shift in worldview to (w)holistic thinking. Leaders of public societal systems need to understand (w)holistic policy and governance design and the generic organizing principles of systems to ensure that public systems have developmental aims, are regulated to achieve them and use resources sustainably.

what the course is about

The course explains how to create a public policy design by engaging its stakeholders in redesigning it, planning the implementation of the design and implementing it. It also explains how to create (w)holistic societal governance which facilitates the dissolving of complex societal problems, more desirable stakeholder development, as well as minimizing of negative impacts.

It presents the key concepts of (w)holistic thinking, including the principles associated with the seven forces of organization (environment, ethos, aims, process, structure, governance and substance) that co-produce all systems. It applies this knowledge to activity system design in general and the design of public policy and public governance systems specifically.

Like all activity systems, public policy and governance systems are a value / supply chain. The course deals with such designs from both a value (i.e. outcomes) perspective and a supply perspective (i.e. the configuration and continued flow of governance information in time and space).

The course also deals with the theory and methodology of implementation planning, change management and stakeholder facilitation.

Participation in the Biomatrix Industry Design Course will transform you into a (w)holistic thinker based on Biomatrix theory.

You will understand the theory and methodology of complex problem (dis)solving, as well as activity system (re)design, development and change in general and that of an industry specifically. Throughout the course you are guided by template-based assignments to apply this knowledge to a chosen case study (e.g. the industry of which you are a part). You will also make an implementation plan for your design.

You will gain the confidence to act as consultant and change manager in (w)holistic industry (re)design. You will also be able to assess and contextualize other change management tools used in your industry.

Once you have completed the course, you will be able to act as a learning facilitator and change manager in an in-house delivery of the industry Transformation Programme to an industry or governance body concerned with transforming the industry.

become a (w)holistic leader and manager

Participation in the Biomatrix Public Policy and Governance Design Course will transform you into a (w)holistic thinker based on biomatrix systems theory.

You will understand the theory and methodology of complex problem (dis)solving, as well as activity system (re)design, development and change in general and that of an industry specifically. Throughout the course you are guided by template-based assignments to apply this knowledge to a chosen case study (e.g. the public policy you are co-developing, or the public governance function of which you are a part). You will also make an implementation plan for your design.

Once you have completed the course, you will be confident and able to

• assess and contextualize other tools and methods used in change interventions related to public policy and governance
• act as a consultant and change manager in (w)holistic public policy and public governance (re)design
• act as a learning facilitator and change manager in an in-house delivery of the Biomatrix Public Policy and Governance Transformation Programme to a governance body concerned with developing policy or changing a governance system.

course content

The course consists of five e-learning modules. During each module, the participants apply the learned theory in template-based exercises to their case study system and reflect on the theory and methodology.

module 1: overview of general and biomatrix systems theory

This module explains the key concepts and methods of systems and complexity theories in general and of Biomatrix systems theory specifically. Self-reflection assignments promote a (w)holistic view of the world and of sustainability.

module 2: systemic problem (dis)solving

This module explains the theory and practical steps involved in complex problem analysis and dissolving them through ideal system redesign.  Assignments guide problem analysis and brainstorming of solutions for the case study system.

module 3: seven forces of system organization (activity system perspective)

The module explains activity systems as value and supply chains based on seven organizing forces and their organising principles. Assignments guide the ideal redesign of the case study system.

module 4: implementation planning

This module explains how to make an implementation plan for an ideal design.  Assignments guide the implementation planning of the case study design.

module 5: change management design

This module explains the theory and practical steps involved in managing the transformation of a system with stakeholder participation and alignment. Assignments guide the change management planning for the transformation of the case study system.

see other courses and programmes

The Public Policy and Governance Design Course is one of several Biomatrix Design Courses which educate senior managers and decision-makers in the theory and methodology of sustainable system (re)design and complex problem solving. The courses are based on Biomatrix theory which explains how systems are organized, change and develop.

project design course
function design course
business process design course
organization design course
public/private partnership design course
industry design course

in-house programmes