Modelling Response to Catastrophe Using Beer's VSM: Viability for Effective Action

Presents the Viable System Model, developed by Stafford Beer, as a potentially valuable resource for strengthening the capabilities of temporary, situation‐based organizations such as those assembled to respond to natural, technical and man‐made disasters. Describes a Viable System Model of a response to a small‐scale accident and extends its lessons to larger more complex situations. Suggests that the management of the high levels of variety in multifaceted disaster response efforts could be improved by using the model as a common frame of reference.