Task A6.1: Note the Identity Statement of the System-in-Focus

What is Task A6.1?

Task A6.1 is part of the "Observe" phase in the Viability Canvas methodology, specifically within the "System Five: Identify the Policy Making" step (Step A6). This task instructs you to "Retrieve / write down the identity statement of the System-in-Focus (or confirm that the System in Focus does not have one)."

Purpose of Noting the Identity Statement

The purpose of this task is to identify or articulate the fundamental purpose, values, and character of the System-in-Focus. This serves several important functions:

1. Establishing directionality: Understanding what the system fundamentally aims to achieve
2. Providing context: Creating a reference point for evaluating all other system components
3. Ensuring coherence: Verifying that all system activities align with a central purpose
4. Guiding decision-making: Setting parameters for what fits within the system's mission
5. Defining boundaries: Clarifying what is and isn't within the system's scope

By noting the identity statement, you establish the foundation for understanding how the System-in-Focus maintains its viability and coherence.

Understanding the Identity Statement

In the context of the Viable System Model, the identity statement represents what System 5 formulates as the "Top-Level Ethos" that defines the system's identity. This is much more than a simple mission statement - it encapsulates:

• The core purpose of the system's existence
• The fundamental values that guide its operation
• The boundaries of what the system does and doesn't do
• The principles that govern its decision-making
• The character or personality that distinguishes it from other systems

The identity statement helps answer the question: "What is this system, at its most fundamental level?"

How to Complete Task A6.1

To note the identity statement of the System-in-Focus:

1. Check for existing documentation:
   • Look for formal mission or vision statements
   • Review strategic plans or founding documents
   • Examine value statements or organizational principles
2. If an identity statement exists:
   • Retrieve the formal statement verbatim
   • Note where and how it is documented
   • Consider whether it appears to be actively used in decision-making
3. If no formal statement exists:
   • Interview key stakeholders about their understanding of the system's purpose
   • Look for implicit identity elements in how the system makes decisions
   • Draft a provisional identity statement based on observed behaviors and priorities
4. Assess the statement's quality:
   • Is it clear and unambiguous?
   • Does it provide meaningful guidance for decision-making?
   • Is it known and referenced by system participants?
   • Does it reflect the system's actual priorities and behaviors?
5. Document your findings:
   • The exact identity statement (if it exists)
   • Notes on how widely known and used it appears to be
   • Any discrepancies between stated identity and observed behavior

Example Application

In analyzing a local food bank, the team might complete Task A6.1 as follows:

"The formal identity statement for the Community Food Support Network is: 'To ensure no one in our community goes hungry by providing dignified access to nutritious food, building community food resilience, and addressing root causes of food insecurity.'"

The team notes that this statement is prominently displayed in their facilities and is regularly referenced in staff meetings and decision-making processes. It clearly articulates not just what they do (provide food) but their underlying values (dignity, community resilience) and broader mission (addressing root causes), providing a strong foundation for System 5.

Significance for VSM Analysis

The identity statement is crucial for the VSM analysis because:

1. It represents what System 5 is responsible for maintaining and evolving
2. It provides the criteria against which the performance of all other systems can be evaluated
3. It establishes the "reference signal" that guides adaptation and decision-making
4. It helps identify misalignments where system components are pursuing activities that don't support the core identity

By starting with a clear understanding of the system's identity, you create the foundation for analyzing how effectively the entire system maintains that identity in a changing environment.