Generality to specaility

Proponent of the top down approach have long touted the "specialist" as a pith of the any system. So much so that they allude them as not only essential but also sufficient for a complete system. However, close examination reveals that although the specialist is essential part of the system but not sufficient for proper working of the system. The system essentially requires generalist to provide "global" perspective. This is essential considering the functioning of the system is of more importance than the individual anatomies of it. The role of generalist is of hence of utmost importance.

First and foremost any system cannot work in independence. It need a intergration. The specialist of any of the individual subsystem cannot perform this job. It has to be essentially done by a person who know most, if not all, of the aspect of the system. For instance, take a example of the modern day software industries, it follow the bottom up approach. Each of the subsystem (piece of the software) is developed first. Then it is integrated. The integrate here need to have the knowledge of the most of the aspects of the individual subsystem, at least the knowledge of the peripherials which connect with each other. This cannot be done by any specialist.

Further such generalist have better idea to track any problem in the system. The generalist is aware or rather the knowledge of every part of the system.
Hence he is in better position to localize this problem. For examples take the examples of manager who are the actually generalist. They tries to manage each of anatomy of the system comprising of specialists. Now whenever the problem arises in the overall hierarchy of final product, the generalist role become vital. They not only provide the better tracking mechanism of the error, but also facilitate a seamless interaction between each of the parts.

But beyond the integration and tracking of the error , the bottom line of function of the generalist is providing a broader and better perspective, defining a system an unit. They seamlessly provide perspective to bring improvisation in the system. They guide each of specialist to bring optimization or updation which could facilitate a better system. They can even bring a better corroboration and symbiotic relationship in system. For example functioning of the Government , have many secretaries,a specialist, to handle each of the department. But most vital role in governess is that of President,a generalist. He most responsible in the government hierarchy.

While it may be clear that the we need more Generalist for broader perspective and seamless development of any institution; It should be noted they cannot surrogate the job of specialist. The generalist doesn't replace the specialist in fact its compliment it position.