The podcast discusses the concepts of slowification, simplification, and amplification in 'Wiring the Winning Organization'. It explores the team's use of a mural board for visual management and planning. The importance of closing the gap between current and target conditions is highlighted. A favorite case study from the book is discussed, and techniques for simplifying complex systems are explored.
Slowification encourages a more thoughtful and methodical approach to problem-solving by slowing down the pace and engaging in deep analysis.
Simplification involves breaking down complex problems into smaller parts, allowing for faster and more efficient problem-solving while keeping the system in working order.
Deep dives
The Concept of Slowification
Slowification is one of the key concepts discussed in the podcast. It involves slowing down the pace of problem-solving and engaging in deep analysis to find effective solutions. The podcast highlights an example of applying slowification in a team's datadog and pager duty setup after a reorganization. The team used visual management techniques, such as creating a mural board, to build a shared mental model and understand the target condition and current condition. The team iterated through gimbal walks and used sticky notes to mark completion and progress. Slowification allows for more thoughtful and methodical problem-solving rather than rushing into making changes.
The Importance of Simplification
The podcast emphasizes the significance of simplification as a problem-solving technique. Simplification involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts. In the mentioned example, the team simplified the problem of ensuring the right teams are paged by partitioning the work between datadog and pager duty. This allowed each pair to focus on their specific areas independently. The team utilized incrementalization, modularization, and linearization as techniques to simplify the problem-solving process. By taking small and coordinated changes, the team can solve problems faster and more efficiently, while also keeping the system in a working order throughout the process.
The Power of Amplification
Amplification is another important concept discussed in the podcast. It involves consistently calling out problems to generate help and swarm the problem for investigation and resolution. The podcast describes how the team used visual management and sticky notes to indicate the status of work and signal problems. The color-coded sticky notes allowed the team to easily identify which areas needed attention or immediate action. Amplification helps in detecting issues early on and ensures that corrective actions are taken promptly, preventing problems from persisting or spreading. It enables self-regulation and synchronization within the team, creating a stable work environment.
Adam presents the ideas in Wiring the Winning Organization with a vignette from his time on gemba. Plus, a giveaway!
Here's how to win a FREE copy of Wiring the Winning Organization. First, follow me on LinkedIn. Second, post a link to Small Batches podcast episode with what you learned using the #SmallBatchesGiveaway hashtag. The giveaway runs through January 2024. The winner will be announced on February 1st. You can enter as many times as you like.