How to break the rules - bimodal mix

We invest so much in technology, so why do we seem to get so little benefit in return? We spend hundreds of millions on ERP solutions but we don't seem to go any faster. We introduce new processes, tools and methods, but when you stand back and squint the organisation still looks just the same.

Is technology over-hyped and oversold, as many would have us believe, or are we doing something that means we lose out on all those promised benefits? Societies work because we follow the rules, but what if those same rules are holding us back? The problem may not be in the technology, but in us failing to change our habits.

In this talk, Dan introduces some uncomfortable truths from Eliyahu Goldratt, author of “The Goal” and one of the fathers of modern management theory, that may help us to recognise and challenge this behaviour so we can start to get the real benefit from all that technology.

Transcript

1. How to break the rules
   Dan North
   @tastapod
   

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2. @tastapod
   Eliyahu Goldratt
   https://alchetron.com/Eliyahu-M-Goldratt-1011218-W#-
   1984 2005
   1947-2011
   

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3. @tastapod
   “Technology can bring benefits if, and
   only if, it diminishes a limitation.”
   —Eli Goldratt
   

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4. @tastapod
   Technology (n):
   dictionary.com:
   1. the branch of knowledge that
   deals with the creation and use of
   technical means and their
   interrelation with life, society, and
   the environment, drawing upon
   such subjects as industrial arts,
   engineering, applied science, and
   pure science
   Merriam-Webster:
   1. a: the practical application of
   knowledge especially in a particular area

   b: a capability given by the practical
   application of knowledge
   2. a manner of accomplishing a task
   especially using technical processes,
   methods, or knowledge
   

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5. @tastapod
   Technology (n):
   dictionary.com:
   1. the branch of knowledge that
   deals with the creation and use of
   technical means and their
   interrelation with life, society, and
   the environment, drawing upon
   such subjects as industrial arts,
   engineering, applied science, and
   pure science
   Merriam-Webster:
   1. a: the practical application of
   knowledge especially in a particular area

   b: a capability given by the practical
   application of knowledge
   2. a manner of accomplishing a task
   especially using technical processes,
   methods, or knowledge
   

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6. @tastapod
   We are really, really bad at

   adopting new technology
   

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7. @tastapod
   We are really, really bad at

   benefiting from new technology
   

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8. @tastapod
   Goldratt’s four questions
   1. What is the power of the technology?
   2. What limitation does the technology diminish?
   3. Which rules enabled us to manage this limitation?
   4. Which new rules will we need?
   

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9. @tastapod
   Which rules enabled us
   

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10. @tastapod
    Which rules enabled us
    Rules designed to enable us

    inevitably constrain us
    

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11. @tastapod
    http://progress-plus.co.uk/mrp-system-and-erp-system/
    Applying the questions to MRP
    

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12. @tastapod
    1. We can carry out complex MRP calculations overnight!
    2. Diminishes the entire week it takes to calculate MRP.
    3. We only plan monthly otherwise it is too expensive.
    4. We need to reengage with our suppliers and customers.
    Applying the questions to MRP
    

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13. @tastapod
    1. We can carry out complex MRP calculations overnight!
    2. Diminishes the entire week it takes to calculate MRP.
    3. We only plan monthly otherwise it is too expensive.
    4. We need to reengage with our suppliers and customers.
    Rules become policy
    

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14. @tastapod
    http://www.ultraconsultants.com/mrp-vs-mrp-ii-vs-erp/
    Applying the questions to ERP
    

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15. @tastapod
    Applying the questions to ERP
    1. We can collect and analyse information across the org.
    2. Diminishes ignorance of what other divisions are doing.
    3. Use cost accounting to make local decisions.
    4. Use throughput accounting to measure flow of value.
    

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16. @tastapod
    Rules become law
    1. We can collect and analyse information across the org.
    2. Diminishes ignorance of what other divisions are doing.
    3. Use cost accounting to make local decisions.
    4. Use throughput accounting to measure flow of value.
    

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17. @tastapod
    http://www.gogeometry.com/software/cloud_computing_w_c_70.jpg
    Applying the four questions to Cloud
    

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18. @tastapod
    1. We can have on-demand computing power.
    2. Diminishes the cost and risk of running your own data centre.
    3. Procurement, operations and maintenance are expensive.
    Computer hardware requires lots of people to look after it.
    4. You can explore technology ideas quickly and inexpensively.
    You can reduce computing power as easily as increasing it.
    Applying the four questions to Cloud
    

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19. @tastapod
    Rules for coping become structure
    1. We can have on-demand computing power.
    2. Diminishes the cost and risk of running your own data centre.
    3. Procurement, operations and maintenance are expensive.
    Computer hardware requires lots of people to look after it.
    4. You can explore technology ideas quickly and inexpensively.
    You can reduce computing power as easily as increasing it.
    

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20. @tastapod
    http://www.kitenco.de/bilder/cd-cloud.png
    Applying the questions to CD
    

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21. @tastapod
    1. We can simplify and automate releasing software.
    2. Diminishes high risk and transaction cost of releasing.
    3. Fixing any mistakes will be expensive and time-consuming.
    Managing the risk requires specialists to check things manually.
    4. Self-serve tools and processes will enable us to release often.
    Applying the questions to CD
    

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22. @tastapod
    Rules become culture
    1. We can simplify and automate releasing software.
    2. Diminishes high risk and transaction cost of releasing.
    3. Fixing any mistakes will be expensive and time-consuming.
    Managing the risk requires specialists to check things manually.
    4. Self-serve tools and processes will enable us to release often.
    

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23. @tastapod
    http://xray-studios.com/
    Applying the questions to bimodal delivery
    

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24. @tastapod
    Applying the questions to bimodal delivery
    1. We can confidently deliver work with varying uncertainty.
    2. Diminishes risk, cost and impact of blindly applying a reductionist
    approach to emergent situations. And vice versa.
    3. There is one model of planning, funding, governance and execution.
    Given enough detail we can control cost and risk.
    4. We need to understand which mode applies to which aspects of a
    programme of work.
    

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25. @tastapod
    Rules become paradigm
    1. We can confidently deliver work with varying uncertainty.
    2. Diminishes risk, cost and impact of blindly applying a reductionist
    approach to emergent situations. And vice versa.
    3. There is one model of planning, funding, governance and execution.
    Given enough detail we can control cost and risk.
    4. We need to understand which mode applies to which aspects of a
    programme of work.
    

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26. @tastapod
    The rules are holding us back!
    Policy Law
    Culture Paradigm
    Structure
    

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27. @tastapod
    How to break the rules
    1. Understand the power of the new technology
    What does it do? How does it work?
    How can we exploit this technology?
    2. Recognise the limitation the technology will diminish
    How could you prove the limitation was holding you back?
    How would you know it was diminishing?
    

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28. @tastapod
    How to break the rules
    3. Identify the existing rules we use to manage the limitation
    How will they get in the way? What assumptions do they make?
    How can we make it safe to change? How to create a graceful exit?
    4. Identify and implement the new rules
    How can we safely exploit this new technology?
    How do we introduce and institutionalise these new rules?
    

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29. @tastapod
    “Technology can bring benefits if, and
    only if, it diminishes a limitation.”
    

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30. @tastapod
    Now, go break some rules!
    @tastapod
    https://dannorth.net
    dan@dannorth.net
    

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