The viable system model and the Viplan software

The software Viplan learning system is an aid to learn about Beer's viable system model (VSM) and its application This is done with the support of the Viplan method The five activities of this method are explained with exampl es. First, it offers an approach to understand and discuss organisational i dentity through analysis of stakeholders. Second, it describes structural m odelling of activities, which is followed by the crucial idea in the method of unfolding the organisation's complexity. Fourth, it shows a tool for st udying the distribution of resources and discretion in an organisation. Fif th, and finally, it offers a form of relating these resources to the VSM, t hus allowing the development of diagnostic points The paper ends with a sho rt description of the software itself.