Cobb's Paradox
Glen Alleman MSSM
Vetern, Applying Systems Engineering Principles, Processes & Practices to Increase the Probability of Program Success for Complex Systems in Aerospace & Defense, Enterprise IT, and Process and Safety Industries
Just read a post on LI about Cobb's Paradox, which says
We know why projects fail; we know how to prevent their failure – so why do they still fail?
The answer is simple and complex...
Because we didn't find the Root Cause of the failure. The correct or prevent the undering root causes that created the failure. And therefore the preventive actions were ineffective for correcting or prevent the conditions and actions that create the effect or affect that create the failure
The simple answer to Cobb's Paradox is his Failure to find the Root Cause of the Failure. Here's a starting list of materials showing how to address the issue mentioned in the original post.
And a collection of Blog posts on the same topic:
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Anyone interested further can search for the phrase "root cause analysis" in "Conference Briefings, Training Materials, & Master Classes as the Basis of Successfully Managing Traditional & Agile Complex System of Systems"?to find briefings and other materials we've developed on how to identify, correct, and prevent project failure.
It appears Mr. Cobb never encountered the concept of RCA
There are unlimited "symptoms" of project failure, but rarely (at least here in LinkedIn) any understanding that the basis of project success starts with Tim Lister's advice "risk Management is project management for adults" and "risk management" starts with Root Cause Analysis. In our domains of Space and Defense, RCA is mandated and most primes and sub apply Gano's Apollo method since we MUST show up on time and it MUST work (you can always get more money)
Here's the start of the Apollo Method that Mr. Cobb missed 11 Problems with Your RCA Process and How to Fix Them.
And guidance on how to fix them starts here?https://www.realitycharting.com/
Here's the download of the book on how to avoid Cobb's Paradox?Reality Charting - Seven Steps to Effective Problem Solving and Strategies for Personal Success.
In the book Apollo Root Cause Analysis - Effective Solutions to Everyday Problems Every Time, Deal L. Gano started it all, summarized here with "Apollo Root Cause Analysis – A New Way of Thinking and a scanned version of the original book
Capability-based Programme Delivery, System Thinker, Digital Integration Planning, Operating Model Development and Optimisation
2 年Glen Alleman I think it’s because people are unwilling to think about how they contribute to failure and think about what needs to change. An awful lot of why things keep going wrong is down to not thinking you can challenge or are empowered to challenge ineffective doctrine. The other side of the fence should reflect on whether they are open to and will act on what they hear. Change requires changes and not all that identify the need for change have the agency to effect the required change.