Form maintaining governance ensures that the form and functioning of the system and the outcomes of its performance are maintained or stay within prescribed limits. A typical example is the air conditioner which keeps the room temperature within a pre-set range. Likewise, rules and laws keep the system within pre-determined limits.
Form creating governance enhances the growth and development of the system. For example, the more one works, the more one is paid; or the more questions a student asks, the more knowledge is given by the teacher.
Form destroying governance removes undesirable behaviour by eliminating that activity system. For example, theft and corruption are sanctioned. The immune system in the body destroys harmful and alien entities.
Some researchers combine form creating and form destroying governance under the heading of form changing governance.
The development of a system usually requires the appropriate combination of all three types of governance. Applying the wrong type in the wrong context will jeopardise the development of the system. For example, strict rules (form maintaining governance) or punishment of mistakes (form destroying governance) will stifle innovation and creativity (which require form creating governance). Likewise, freedom of expression (form creating) without agreed limits (form maintaining) and their enforcement (form destroying) could lead to exploitation, hurt, conflict and anarchy.
The optimal balance between the three types of governance could change in the course of the system’s development and with its changing environment. For example, establishing a business requires form creating governance, growing it needs form maintaining governance.
relevance
Form changing governance has a fly-wheel effect which needs to be limited by form maintaining governance.
relevance for the change manager
A performance management system requires governance criteria and governance procedures associated with each of the three types of governance.
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