Effective ‘action planning’ on complex issues …through the One Page Management System Work in progress!

Effective ‘action planning’ on complex issues

…through theOne Page Management

System

Work in progress!

(c) GS Chandy Fundas 2

Contents

• Basics of OPMS for the Mission: “To succeed in my ambitious building project”

• Realized and potential projects for OPMS• Structural graphics for understanding

complex systems (to follow)


Based on Warfield’s approach to complexity in systems, there has developed over several years a uniquely powerful generic aid to problem solving and decision making which can enable significant enhancement to the way we tackle issues of all kinds: ● Individual issues (of most kinds); ● Organizational issues (of all kinds); and ● Societal issues (of most kinds).

The One Page Management System…

Scarcely any limitations of any kind!

…for any kind of Missions: individual, organizational, societal

John N. Warfield, in the course of his investigations of ‘complexity in systems’,

has developed tools that could help individuals and groups organize and integrate their understanding of the

complex systems in which they must work – these tools can significantly enhance the application of available

scientific knowledge effectively to tackle global issues


To use this tool effectively, we need to explain a small enhancement to the language we

conventionally use: we call this enhancement ‘prose + structural graphics’

The structural graphics clarify and detail the relationships between the elements in a complex

system that are generally left ambiguous in conventional prose.


A ‘Language’ to discuss complex issues:A ‘Language’ to discuss complex issues:

‘‘proseprose ++ structural graphicsstructural graphics’ (p+sg)’ (p+sg)

Idea 1Idea 1 Idea 2Idea 2…the ideas - and the

relationshiprelationship between the ideas, shown as a

meaningful arrow…

“Idea 1 leads to Idea 2”

So what is/are ‘structural graphics’?

The picture and its translation (along with any other explanation required) constitute

‘‘proseprose ++ structural graphicsstructural graphics’’ (p+sg)

Here’s a simple structural Here’s a simple structural graphic:graphic:

=We repeat: the structural graphics clarify and detail the

relationships between the elements in a complex system that are generally left ambiguous in

conventional prose.

Structural Graphic

Prose Equivalent

leads to

The arrow stands for a The arrow stands for a specificspecific relationship, relationship,

e.g.:“leads to” e.g.:“leads to” (in this case)(in this case)And it is this simple idea that can be built on to enable us to tackle the most complex of problems and issues much more

effectively than can be done when we think and discuss in the conventional way, through ‘prose’

And the ideas that people get while they consider issues in the system are precisely those that should

go into the ‘design of the desired system’!


One specific form of structural graphics is John N. Warfield’s powerful modeling tool, ‘Interpretive Structural Modeling’

(ISM): it enables us to clarify our understanding of the structure of the

systems under consideration…


…conventionally, we make a sizable number of such statements and we generally do not explore the relationships

between those statements. ‘Prose + structural graphics’ enables us to go into this deep logic as intensively and

extensively as we desire/need to.

•To study as much as possible about building development

conditions in India

“should contribute”

Here’s a simple two-element Interpretive Structural Model, articulating the implicit linkage between two statements we had made earlier in

this presentation:

Prose transation: “To study as much as possible about building development conditions in India SHOULD CONTRIBUTE To get hold of needed capital”. (In conventional circumstances, such relationships are left entirely ambiguous.)

To get hold of needed capital

The claim contained in the arrow of the above ‘structural graphic’ is one individual’s perception – which of course

must be properly validated to be used in society. The tools we recommend enable such claims to be explored effectively and validated through a process of effective

debate and consensus decision-making.By ‘INTER-RELATING’ those two ‘elements’, we are starting

to explore the ‘deep logic’ hidden behind the two ‘independent’ prose statements made earlier…


Let’s start exploring the ‘deep logic’ of the

structure…



conditions in India


To understand the market availability of suitable land

We shall now develop that starter model by adding various

‘elements’ to it… all these are also ‘perceptions’ to be validated.

Now, let’s add one more element: “To create a database of potential

sites”

We add one element…




conditions in India


To create a database of potential sites

To understand the market availability of suitable land

Click to see a couple more elements to be

added to this structure…

To get hold of good partners

To understand clearly the risks of the business

Will be added in next slide




conditions in India


● To create a database of potential sites

To study the market availability of suitable land






conditions in India


● To create a database of potential sites

To study the market availability of suitable land



Focus on any element in the structure:

WHY?

HOW?


Logically, we are able to justify adding elements as we’ve done in the past few slides to our starting two-element graphical structure because the relationship “CONTRIBUTES TO” is

transitive, which means the following:

If ‘A’ ‘B’,

and if ‘B’ ‘C’,

then ‘A’ MUST ‘C’(where ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ are elements and stands for

the specific transitive relationship under consideration)

This simple idea has huge impact – in This simple idea has huge impact – in regard to construction of these models regard to construction of these models

as well as to their interpretation.as well as to their interpretation.

Models constructed using the above rule would be logically consistent AND, further, the construction of even very large models would also be quite efficient because of the transitivity of the single relationship used in each

such structure.

The process helps the people easily perceive the logical inconsistencies that may be embedded in

their thought processes!

Mistaken ideas are easily corrected through regular use of this process (assuming, of course, there is a basic desire to correct

one’s own mistaken ideas)

Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) is based on a single transitive relationship running right through

the model.


Some elements involved in setting up building project

• To study as much as possible about building development conditions in India• To get hold of needed capital• To study the market availability of suitable land• To create a database of potential sites• To get hold of good partners• To understand clearly the risks of the business• To study the building development laws and rules in various locations• To choose some specific area of focus, e.g., agent, builder, frontman for builder,

project-finder, etc• To develop an adequate support team• To create a database of potential partners• To list the characteristics wanted of my partners• To set aside enough monthly living expenses for myself


Here, for example, is a structure created using the OPMS software, using the

elements of the original list…

WHY?

HOW?


Any number of ideas can be easily added, if they’re relevant to the

Mission: “To succeed in my building project”


Some features of ISM• ANY transitive relationship may be modeled through

ISM (a single relationship per model) –• An ISM based on on “contributes to” clarifies the

“HOWs?” and the “WHYs?” of things done or to be done!

• ISM enables individuals and groups to explore the relationships between factors in their systems to any depth and degree of detail as required

• ISM is a powerful tool to enable individuals and groups to become clear in their minds about their systems

• ISM is one of the powerful modeling techniques created by Warfield that help individuals and groups to explore complexity in systems.

The relationship “contributes to” is probably the single most important of all relationships that can help us arrive at a working understanding from

scratch of the systems under considerationSome important transitive relationships in systems:

“enhances” “supports”Is more/less important than“contributes to”Aggravates (in case or problems/

difficulties encountered)

precedes (PERT and Gantt Charts)

and a whole lot of others…


John Warfield’s ‘Interactive Management’ comprises a whole set of methodologies to:

i) enable problem solvers to generate & clarify ideas along with

ii) two powerful modeling tools to enable them to ‘structure’, or organise ideas generated.

You’ve just seen ISM, one of the modeling tools.


Apart from ISM, Warfield has created another powerful modeling tool, ‘Field Representation and Profiling Method’ (FR) designed to help us put elements in a system into appropriate ‘similarity classes’ or

‘categories’ – which then help us explore the relationships (transitive and other) between elements and categories.

We illustrate the Field Representation Method with two examples – one example being a general

structure of the utmost simplicity; the second is pretty complex


Here’s a list of some diverse Missions • To become a top level software designer• To double organizational turnover within one year• “Garibi hatao!” – (The ‘anti-poverty’ slogan of Indira Gandhi’s government – the slogan

was excellent, but the initiative as a whole failed rather miserably)

• To master my math syllabus and thereby get excellent results in my math exams

• To get myself a satisfying and well-paying job• “To create an effective system of governance to meet India’s needs”• To align individuals in the organization to the organization’s goals• To qualify myself for the best job opportunities available• To launch a new product in the US market in 2008• To set up my own consulting business• To become a global leader in software services by 2015• “To ensure 90% true literacy in India within 10 years”• To align individuals in the organization to the organization’s goals

Our first example of FR follows…

We shall now use the Field Representation process on this confusing list to clarify things a bit…


In your opinion, is

“----------” (element 1)

similar to (/in the same category as)

“------------” (element 2) [keeping in mind the kind of organizational

structures that may be needed to accomplish the specific Mission]

?

The first step of the FR process involves inserting the ‘elements’ into

categories/’similarity classes’

A: Dimension 1 ● To become a top-level software designer

We start by inserting the first element into a blank ‘Dimension’, as illustrated below…

…and then we ask ‘modeling questions’, as shown, next …

General ‘modeling question’, for creating Field Representations…

First element inserted in Dimension 1


In your opinion, is

“To double organizational turnover within 1 year” (element ‘2’)


“to become a top-level software designer” (element ‘1’)

[keeping in mind the kind of organizational structures that may be needed to accomplish the specific Mission]

?

More specifically (in this case):

Response Is “NO”, so this element goes into a

different category as shown, next slide…


Here’s how the Field Representation develops:

A: Dimension 1 B: Dimension 2 ● to become a top-level ● To double organizational software designer turnover within 1 year

In your opinion, is

“Garibi Hatao!” (element ‘3’)


“to become a top-level software designer” (element ‘1’) [keeping in mind the kind of organizational structures that may be

needed to accomplish the specific Mission]

?

Response: “NO”, so new question

asked…

In your opinion, is

“Garibi Hatao!” (element ‘3’)


“To double org. turnover within 1 year?” (element ‘2’) [keeping in mind the kind of organizational structures that may be

needed to accomplish the specific Mission]

?

Next trigger question:Response again: “NO”, so a new dimension is

created…

A: Dimension 1 B: Dimension 2 ● to become a top-level ● To double org.

software designer turnover within 1 year

C: Dimension 3 ● Garibi Hatao!

and so on…

A: Dimension 1 ● To become a top-level software designer

Next trigger question:

If the response to a modeling question is “NO”, the question is asked again w.r.t. another element, or a new Dimension is created and the question-element is inserted there. If the response is “YES”, then the question-element is inserted in the same Dimension…

Second element in Dimension 2


FR: “ System of ‘Types of Missions’ ”

A: Dimension 1• To become a top-level…• To master my math syllabus• To get myself a satisfying and

well-paid job• …

B: Dimension 2• To double organizational turnover…• To get over the ‘attrition problem’• To align individuals in organization…• To launch a new product in US market

C: Dimension 3O “Garibi Hatao!”

O “To create an effective system of governance for India’s needs”

O “To develop an effective educational system for our needs”

O “……”

Important!The titles of the categories are

arrived at only after all elements are appropriately inserted into blank categories (see next…)

System Tie-Line



A: Individual Missions• To become a top-level…• To master my math syllabus• To get myself a satisfying and


B: Organizational Missions• To double organizational turnover…• To get over the ‘attrition problem’• To align individuals in organization…• To launch a new product in US market

C: Societal MissionsO “Garibi Hatao!”



O “……”

System Tie-Line


• Individual Missions

• Organizational Missions

• Societal Missions

IMPORTANT: The appropriate titles of the Dimensions of this Field Representation came to light only AFTER all elements were inserted into those Dimensions via

an appropriate ‘modeling question’!


A: Individual Missions• To become a top level software designer• To master my math syllabus and thereby get

excellent results in my math exams• To get myself a satisfying and well-paying job• To qualify myself for the best job opportunities

that become available• To set up my own consulting business• To become more effective at what I do• To learn to use PowerPoint effectively


• All the Missions in the ‘Individual Missions’ category (and many others besides) have been successfully worked on by various persons

• Many have successfully worked on their Missions after the prototype software was created – a few were able to do this even before the software was developed!


B: Organizational Missions• To obtain needed financing for a major project• To align individuals in the organization to the

organization’s goals• To double organizational turnover within one

year• To get over the ‘attrition problem’• To launch a new product in the US market in

2008• To become a global leader in software services

by 2015• To obtain needed financing to market globally


• A few of the Missions in the ‘Organizational Missions’ category have been successfully worked on at different levels.

• We have been conducting OPMS workshops for organizations only after the prototype OPMS software had become available.


C: Societal Missions

• “Garibi hatao!” (Indira Gandhi’s famous slogan, which has alas never been effectively worked on)

• “To create an effective system of governance to meet India’s needs”

• “To develop an effective educational system for India’s needs”

• “To ensure 90% true literacy in India within 10 years”

• “To become one of the ‘least corrupt’ nations in the world within 10 years (instead of being one of the ‘more corrupt’ nations)”


• Thus far, I’ve not managed to get any group, government or NGO, to take up any of the many potential ‘societal Missions’ that OPMS could be used for.

• I have identified a huge number of potential projects – even a quick glance through any day’s news will fetch at least 10 potential projects that are crying out for the OPMS treatment!






C: Societal MissionsO “Garibi Hatao!”



O “……”

System Tie-Line

The ‘SYSTEM TIE-LINE’ stands for any of the relationships that may be

inherent in the system under consideration

On examining the ‘system’ with just the three dimensions that have developed

here, we are now able to perceive that a couple more dimensions are required to render this into a truly useful and usable

‘system’…






C: Societal MissionsO “Garibi Hatao!”O “To create an effective system of governance for India’s needs”O “To develop an effective educational system for our needs” O “……”

System Tie-Line

TD: Type of organization E: Resources reqd. Required O Self- organization O Incorporated Company O Government or non-governmental organisation

Two more dimensions needed to create a useful ‘system’

Check out ‘understandability’ of the system as it appears now - after addition of these two extra dimensions - against the original list of

objects (reviewed, next slide).


Some diverse Missions• To become a top level software designer• To double organizational turnover within one year• “Garibi hatao!”• To master my math syllabus and thereby get excellent results in my

math exams• To get myself a satisfying and well-paying job• “To create an effective system of governance to meet India’s needs”• To align individuals in the organization to the organization’s goals• To qualify myself for the best job opportunities available• To launch a new product in the US market in 2008• To set up my own consulting business• To become a global leader in software services by 2015• “To ensure 90% true literacy in India within 10 years”• To align individuals in the organization to the organization’s goals

We claim that a significant enhancement in understanding

develops through FR categorization – just review that Field

Representation! (Reviewed, next slide)


FR: “ Systems required to handle different kinds of Missions”




C: Societal MissionsO “Garibi Hatao!”O “To create an effective system of governance for India’s needs”O “To develop an effective educational system for our needs” O “……”

System Tie-Line

TD: Type of organization E: Resources reqd. Required O Self- organization O Incorporated Company O Government or non-governmental organisation


So, let’s recap Why we do this ‘categorization’

• The mind is able to get a better ‘overview’ picture of the whole by looking at a few categories rather than looking at a large number of disparate elements

• We can start understanding the relationships between the factors in the system when we look at those categories rather than the disparate elements in the list

• By creating such a Field Representation of ‘Missions’, we are enabled to understand the ‘structures’ of the kind of systems needed to accomplish each type of Mission

• Most importantly, such representations, when effectively done, are models that satisfy the fundamental “Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety”


Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety:

(‘Simple Simon’ version)

“The dimensions of a proposed solution to any problem should match the dimensions of the problem itself”A great many of our individual, organizational and societal

systems are designed without the designers having kept this fundamental law in mind – which explains why so many of our

systems do not perform optimally or even may fail catastrophically


We illustrate Field Representation (FR) method once again – now with a quite

complex ‘second-order’ model -- a ‘model ‘model of models’of models’: the ‘One Page Management

System’ (OPMS).OPMS). The OPMS powerfully ‘enables’ people to

accomplish the Missions of current interest to them, by enabling them to see their systems

with clarity, in an ‘actionable’ way...


The ‘SYSTEM TIE-LINE’ provides us a practical means to show how elements in various Dimensions may impact on the Mission

and on the THINGS TO DO in our Action Planning’ – e.g. how do the various BARRIERS impact on the activities to be

performed to accomplish the Mission?, etc, etc…

All aspects of ANY ‘Mission’ – no matter how large or ambitious, can be captured on a single page, with

linkages to all all details!

This is a ‘generic’ model, applicable to

any Mission!

This is a ‘2nd order’ Field Representation: a ‘MODEL OF MODELS’ – it comprises of

ALL the elements and ALL the models arising during the course of any Mission into appropriate classes that have been found useful through years of people

working on Missions.

This Dimensions contains: THINGS TO DO to accomplish the Mission and all the action models constructed using the elements in the THINGS TO

DO list

All the BARRIERS/ etc that may hinder or prevent accomplishment of Mission – AND

all the models with BARRIERS, etc.

All the BARRIERS, etc, that may hinder or prevent accomplishment of Mission AND all the action models constructed using

those elements

Linkages should be developed between elements in the various dimensions of our OPMS in order to clarify our minds about our systems and how to

develop effective action in them!

On exploring such linkages, we find that we’re naturally begin to ‘understand the system better’ – and

enabled to develop all needed sub-systems for our ‘System to accomplish the chosen Mission’. The whole system we create will be highly effective because we have understood the relationships

between the factors in the system!

Linkage across Dimensions: How do the BARRIERS, etc, hinder or prevent

accomplishment of THINGS TO DO (and the Mission)?

Linkage across Dimensions: How to develop appropriate THINGS TO DO that would help us to overcome the BARRIERS,

etc??? That important question becomes entirely clear to us!

Use of ‘System Tie-LineUse of ‘System Tie-Line


THINGS TO DO

BARRIERS

More THINGS TO DO

Hinder specific

to overcome

We get a series of models like the following, which would help clarify

how to accomplish desired objectives

We get a whole series of such models linking up specific elements in the various

dimensions of the OPMS to specific elements in other

dimensions

The model means: “BARRIERS hinder specific THINGS TO DO – and we are enabled to identify more THINGS TO DO to overcome those BARRIERS”

Enable us to identify

Action Plans to develop the strengths required (but not

currently available) to accomplish Mission

How to prepare to avail the OPPORTUNITIES within the ‘window of opportunity’!

How to overcome weaknesses that may hinder or prevent accomplishment

of our Mission!


It’s called the One Page Management System because:• All the information related to the ‘Mission’ is crystallized onto a single

page – and any part of it can be accessed because of the linkages in the model

• From this one page, linkages would develop to show you how:• THINGS TO DO would contribute to each other and to the Mission;• BARRIERS/DIFFICULTIES and THREATS might hinder or prevent

accomplishment of THINGS TO DO – and you can find out other THINGS TO DO to overcome those BARRIERS, etc.

• What STRENGTHS are required to accomplish the Mission (and how to acquire them);

• What OPPORTUNITIES are available to accomplish the Mission – and how to prepare to avail of them;

• How existing WEAKNESSES might hinder or prevent accomplishment, and how to overcome those WEAKNESSES;

And a whole lot else!

It really is an It really is an ‘Operating System for the Human Mind’!‘Operating System for the Human Mind’!

This huge claim can be justified in detail in a live workshop session


Linkages developing through OPMS:

• How to overcome BARRIERS, WEAKNESSES, etc ?• How to develop needed STRENGTHS?• How to use available STRENGTHS to overcome WEAKNESSES?• How to prepare to avail OPPORTUNITIES that may arise?• Which EVENTS/ACTIVITIES should come first?• What is most important to do for accomplishment of Mission??• Etc, etc, etc, etc …


It’s all based on the It’s all based on the followingfollowing

‘Fundamental Model’ ‘Fundamental Model’


Mental ModelsReal World

Trigger Questions

ElementsRepresentations of Mental Models

ACTION

Bold arrows mean “lead(s) to” Means “applied to”

ComparisonWe claim that OPMS is by far THE We claim that OPMS is by far THE most effective means available to most effective means available to

create needed changes in our mental create needed changes in our mental models, and to guide appropriate models, and to guide appropriate

action on the real world!action on the real world!

Feedback

OPMS Process

This fundamental model, through the OPMS, enables a

powerful ‘problem-solving loop’ to develop in the

individual/group mind


Fundamental Model

Interpret

Action

Monitor

Capture

Crystallize

Model

Our powerful ‘Model For Applying Science to Global Issues’ develops

by systematically building on this loop

“Problem-solving loop“leads to”

“enables”


Enabling Process

Effective Application of General Principles of Problem Solving in Complex Systems

Specific application to various areas – human behaviour; political functions;

governance, etc.

“enable(s)”

Integrated approach to problem solving for global issues

The OPMS approach fits in very well with all the major ‘Theories and Principles of Science and

Integrated Systems – including human behaviour’ – leads to the

most effective possible consensus problem solving on

complex issues


Various applications of the OPMS (some realized; others are only potential)

Applications of OPMS (successful in various degrees)• To enhance personal effectiveness at … (several successes)• To understand thoroughly the topics in my math syllabus and THEREBY to

improve my results in my math exams (one success, long before the OPMS software was created)

• To become a top-level software designer (several successes)• To get myself a good and satisfying job (several successes)• To create the OPMS software (prototype software ready)• To launch an organization to create and market the OPMS software

(success; through organization created folded ahead of full success)• To teach myself how to use PowerPoint effectively • To learn how to speak; read; and write English (/other languages) effectively

for various purposes (business/ academics/…)• To learn subject XYZ….• To double organizational turnover within 1 year (under way)• To develop a first-class chartering division for shipping agency (under say)• Planning to purchase vessel – ship-owning and operating (under way)• …(and a great many others)• To become a top level consultant in my field (one of my associates has actually been very

successful at this Mission).


• “Garibi hatao!” (Indira Gandhi’s stirring slogan to vanquish poverty in India - largely unsuccessful to date)

• To make India one of the ‘least-corrupt nations of the world’ (currently one of the more corrupt)

• To develop and install educational systems truly suited to our needs• To tackle the issue of ‘global warming’ more effectively than has been

done to date• To ensure that science is more effectively used to tackle major

societal issues than is the case presently…• To develop an effective understanding of science amongst policy

makers of various nations (US; India; others…)• To bring about effective public discussion on societal issues• To bring about 90% true literacy in India• “A Vision for Mumbai” (HT article series)• To ensure compliance to the ‘Rights To Information’ legislation in India• To ….(etc, etc, etc)

Some potential applications of the OPMS


Any kind of Mission, problem or issue that has not been

yielding to the conventional means can beneficially be

tackled much more effectively through the OPMS!


Information about John Warfield’s books, papers, etc: http://www.jnwarfield.com

and see also the ‘John Warfield Collection’ maintained at the library of George Mason University

http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections/warfield.htm

The OPMS is based on the seminal contributions to systems science by Professor John N. Warfield.

http://www.jnwarfield.com/

http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections/warfield.htm


For more information about OPMS and/or free access to the prototype OPMS software, contact:

G.S. Chandy email: [email protected]

Bangalore:Terrapin Station (near Delhi Public School)Sathanur Village,Bagalur P.O., PIN: 562149Bangalore, IndiaTel.: +91-80-65700814

Currently camped at Mumbai:c/o Sahi Oretrans Pvt LtdWestern India House, 3rd FloorSir P.M. Road, FortMumbai - 400 001, IndiaTelephone: +91-22-40335424 (Personal line) +91-22-40335454 (Board line)

mailto:[email protected]


Thank you!

Documents

Effective ‘action planning’ on complex issues …through the One Page Management System Work in progress!