seeing problems differently results in different solutions - innovation tool dtc operator
DESCRIPTION
Seeing Problems Differently Results in Different Solutions DTC Operator is one of my favorites for working with teams that feel stuck or just cannot move out of their own way to explore the system and problem from a different perspective. It allows people to work in extremes and through those extremes they see possibilities that felt silly or just wrong before. Outcomes from Seeing Problems Differently Results in Different Solutions - Understanding and various uses of DTC Operator. - Use of DTC Operator to find inventive solutions to challenges. www.Create-Learning.comTRANSCRIPT
Seeing Problems Differently Results in Different Solutions
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
www.asqhdandl.org
www.create-learning.com http://asqbuffalo.com
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Finding what is wrong is not improvement of the process. If there were a fire here in this building and somehow we put it out that is not improvement, that is putting out fires.
…that is a path toward destruction because they are not studying the system, they are managing outcomes, managing defects instead of looking at the system that produced the defects.Dr. Deminghttp://blog.deming.org/2014/05/deming-library-video-with-dr-deming-discussing-the-14-points/
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
What’s in it for me? DTC Operator is one of my favorites for working with teams that feel stuck or just cannot move out of their own way to explore the system and problem from a different perspective. It allows people to work in extremes and through those extremes they see possibilities that felt silly or just wrong before.
Outcomes from Seeing Problems Differently Results in Different Solutions Understanding and various uses of DTC Operator. Use of DTC Operator to find inventive solutions to
challenges.
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
DTC (Dimensions; Time; Cost) Operator
Process tool for Innovation Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Dimension Time Cost Operator (DTC) – A TRIZ tool for seeing problems differently. Exploring ideas of extremes in size, time and cost.
The DTC Operator can work to release Psychological Inertia AKA Mental / Organizational Stuckness
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
PSYCHOLOGICAL INERTIA. The psychological meaning of the word
"inertia" implies an indisposition to change – a certain "stuckness" due to
human programming. It represents the inevitability of behaving in a certain way
– the way that has been indelibly inscribed somewhere in the brain. It also represents the impossibility – as long as
a person is guided by his habits – of ever behaving in a better way.
– Kowalick
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
The DTC Operator Algorithm
Define the problem: Name the system or the part of the system of interest.
Consider ideas created by DTC extremes:
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Dimensions: If dimensions were extremely large what would success look like, how would that happen, in what way could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:
If dimensions were extremely small (almost gone) what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Time:If time were extremely long what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed? (i.e. Days, Years, Decades instead of seconds or minutes) OR If speed were extremely slow what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:
If time were extremely small what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed? (i.e. nanoseconds instead of seconds) OR If speed were extremely fast what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Cost:(Not just in terms of dollars but costs in terms of downsides, harmful effects, etc…) If there was no limit on cost how could the problem be solved, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:
If costs were extremely limited what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions: Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
The DTC Operator Algorithm
Define the problem: Name the system or the part of the system of interest.
Consider ideas created by DTC extremes:
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Example: Pencil Lead Break Intermittently
Dimensions: If dimensions were extremely big, how could the problem be solved? List ideas/solutions: If the pencil lead were really wide the lead would be strong and would not break? Use a very wide blunt pencil.
If dimensions were extremely small (almost gone) how could the problem be solved?List ideas/solutions: If the pencil lead were really short then the lead would be strong and would not break. Create a pencil with very short lead that continuously supplies lead. Propel lead from the pencil. Make the pencil recede at the same rate as the lead erodes.
Time: If time were extremely long, how could the problem be solved? Or if speed were extremely slow, how could the problem be solved?List ideas/solutions: If time were extremely long, the lead could be protected with a cover tube for each stroke to limit stress..
If time were extremely small how could the problem be solved? Or if speed were extremely fast, how could the problem be solved? List ideas/solutions: If time were very short, a replacement pencil would appear as soon as breakage occurs.
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Example: Pencil Lead Break Intermittently
Cost: If cost were extremely large, how could the problem be solved? List ideas/solutions: If costs were unlimited, then many sharpened pencils would be available. Use a propelling pencil (multiple sharpened points inside).
If costs were extremely small, how could the problem be solved?List ideas/solutions: A very short pencil lead would not break, but it would not last long due to use.
___________________________________________________
KEY IDEAS ARE: A propelling pencil – with protective, retractable tubes (around the lead).
Trizics. Cameron
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
HD&L Example:Working with a team of 5 Executive Directors from a company that employs ~2000 people. We identified a gap in the Managerial-Leadership selection, development, mentoring & coaching of employees prior to being promoted to a management level within the company.
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Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
This gap was identified leading to the following concerns; High turnover rates amongst front-line employees,
the direct subordinates of the FL managers – ~28% which was higher than average for this company.
Increased customer complaints about service and interactions.
On-Time completion of work decreased by 20% in 3 years.
Overtime increased by 30% in 3 years. Stress, Illness leading to increased number of sick
days and health problems for Mangers and front-line staff.
General Managers, the direct managers of the FL Manager, NOT achieving their work on time and in quality expectations.
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Problem: Institute a Managerial-Leadership Training Process for all FL Managers that will provide each individual involved with the requisite Skilled Knowledge to manage staff and add value to the Organization and their subordinates. Make this training process a requirement prior to promotion to FL Manager.
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Dimensions: If dimensions were extremely large what would success look like, how would that happen, in what way could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:If the system was really large, meaning tens of thousands of people were going through this Manager Training Process at once we would need a tracking and feedback system to show when and where each manager is in the process. Can we create an independent participant self-lead program, possibly using our internal intra-net. That includes on-line learning, meetings with direct Managers and feedback plus evaluations from direct subordinates and direct managers?
If dimensions were extremely small what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:If the system was really small, meaning 1 person going through this Manager Training process that person would have a great deal of pressure on them and because of all the focused attention would be able to make a large impact in the company. Can we develop or use the Directors immediate Manager and their Manager once removed to work with this person and keep their focus on their existing work and involvement in this process? Meaning that each person involved feels and knows that they are treated as an individual and we are working to move them to their Leadership Potential. Michael Cardus - www.Create-
Learning.com
Time:If time were extremely long what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed? OR If speed were extremely slow what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:If time was extremely long the FL Managers in the Process would have more than adequate time to learn and master the concepts. Additionally the Managers evaluating the FL Managers performance would be able to more accurately place the FL Managers with teams, tasks and individuals who could benefit most. Can we create a long term research project from this? Determining what works…The team already has performance evaluation data from the past, what could the data from the past about the FL Managers tell the Managers about the effectiveness of these FL Managers?
If time were extremely small what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed? OR If speed were extremely fast what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:If the speed of the Process was fast the FL Managers would have to find ways to stay motivated and show rapid comprehension and application of the content. Can we find short term tasks ‘small wins’ that can happen in a time-frame of 1 day or shorter? These ‘small wins’ would keep motivation high, and learning application flexible because the fast nature would allow for success and quick fixes to mistakes.Michael Cardus - www.Create-
Learning.com
Cost:If costs (not just in terms of dollars but costs in terms of downsides, harmful effects, etc…) were extremely abundant what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:If there was no limit to cost – we could increase this to develop Managerial Leadership Training & succession planning for the entire company. Plus, have people onsite continuously to develop curriculum, mentor, coach, train and work in real-time with all of our staff. Can we hire a full time person to do this? If we can really impact the things listed in our Gap Analysis earlier, that would more that make up for a full time on-site Training & Development Position.
If costs were extremely limited what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?
List ideas/solutions:If cost is limited to almost zero, use the people and resources we already have. Over the past several years we have sent many of our Managers, Directors, Front-Line staff to trainings and Executive Coaches. Have we ever gathered their stories, resources and what was most effective from them? Could we gather small focus groups of Managers, Directors, and front-line staff to take on their own initiatives for Director Training and Improvement? Michael Cardus - www.Create-
Learning.com
Now what?
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
From the discussion & interaction develop a ‘Solutions Matrix’
Solution Idea(s) generated
Doable.1-10. 10=Very1=Little
Impactful.1-1010=Very1=Little
Helpful.1-1010=Very1=Little
Potential Barriers
Potential Successes
Dimensions
Time
Cost
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Uses & Questions Coaching & Development Thinking tool As a team As individuals 1 to all Meeting individually complete
DTC Operator. At meeting share ind. responses
2 Project Teams a) Control current problem b) Develop solutions
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
www.asqhdandl.org
www.create-learning.com http://asqbuffalo.com
Michael Cardus - www.Create-Learning.com
Photo attributionhttps://flic.kr/p/58CCzqhttps://flic.kr/p/65EZA9http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasukaru76/4307189567/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasukaru76/3992935923/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/wingtorn/7225734766/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/antonnovoselov/4712010305/http://www.flickr.com/photos/33263856@N02/5157196328/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/4763085590/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/5902712709/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasukaru76/5018455914/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtbudiarto/7150324143/http://www.flickr.com/photos/derekgavey/5069358550/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_siegel/8133716733/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Necker_cube.svg http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhilung/3311130707/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/76657755@N04/7408506410/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/3948724485/
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