Enhancing Utility Manager's Capability for Dealing With Complex Issues

The purpose of this paper is to explore concepts, methods and tools that can increase the capability of utility managers to deal with the increasing complexity of issues they must confront on a daily basis. Complex System Governance (CSG), and the Systems Thinking upon which it is based, are explored as a constructive alternative to enable utility managers to better deal with complex issues. This exploration involves pursuit of five primary aims, including (1) Articulation of the complex problem domain that represents a ‘new normal’ for utilities and their managers, (2) Examination of Systems Thinking and CSG contributions to the utility sector, (3) Suggestion of five straightforward systems tools that can provide immediate impact for utility managers, (4) Demonstration of a utility management scenario and corresponding systems perspective application, and (5) Development of the potential value adding implications for application of Systems Thinking and CSG for utility managers.