Pathological systems

The Viable System Model (VSM) allows the diagnosis and design of organisational structures that fulfil the necessary and sufficient conditions for viability. Time and again diagnoses at different organisations using the VSM revealed similar structural patterns which have been generalised. In this paper four of these 'pathological systems' are presented by describing the situation in which they are likely to arise and the symptoms which go along with them. By using specific cases the patterns are explained and possible measures to achieve viability are outlined. These findings can be used as a quick reference for diagnosing organisations.