Southbeach idioms

If only ... I feel unfulfilled :-(

2010-11-03T18:33:00.001Z

My idea had potential, but was never fulfilled (historical). I feel unfulfilled :-(

In this example, the dotted line means 'potential', the arrow type is 'becomes' and the cross is 'historical'.

Dark days ahead - modeling insufficiency

2009-08-11T12:38:00.004+01:00

This idiom in very common in a wide range of models. An insufficiency of something useful, leads to harmful side effects. Some of these harmful effects are introduced to the system to counteracts other harmful effects. Breaking out of this loop can be the focus of problem solving and situational modeling. In this case, the UK has insufficient power generation capability. It therefore leans too heavily on foreign gas supplies.

Minimise time of intermediate result - recession

2009-05-30T08:57:00.010+01:00

If A produces B, and B is harmful, one can start to ask questions about the situation to try to improve the situation. Questions that immediately come to mind include: is there a way to prevent A producing B, can the link between A and B be broken, can we minimize the impact of B, do we need A at all? In Southbeach 0.9, many new effects can be used to create patterns like this, patterns that represent solutions or problems. Here is an example:

The new effect is 'becomes' - a transformation. A question prompted by this model would be: find a way to shorten the time the harmful intermediate state exists, in order to avoid the consequences that might otherwise result. Using a topical example:

Otherwise, the recession may 'create' a depression.

We can add elements to this model to show the direction in which the problem solving is taking us. Here, we show the depression as a 'potential' risk (dotted line) and using a 'delay' to show there is a lag between the recession and possible depression. As that delay runs out, it becomes more and more important to get across the chasm to the new period of economic growth, i.e. to reduce the time the recession lasts:

We have also added actions to the model - illustrating the use of 'counteracts' and 'prevents'. And we could use the model to suggest even more solutions. Here - we try to head off the recession turning into a depression, and, try to accelerate the passing of the recession so there is less opportunity for it to turn into a downward spiral of depression:

Insufficient prevention leads to need for counteraction

2009-05-17T18:36:00.005+01:00

Regulation cannot prevent financial crises altogether, but it can minimise the devastation. A common idiom in life, illustrated here using the banking crisis example. Note the use of 'insufficient prevents', a new effect in Southbeach 0.9.

'Prevents' is not the same as 'counteracts', since it occurs in advance. If you use the Southbeach Modeller, you'll see the synonyms for 'prevents' as prohibits, blocks, precludes, forestalls, annuls, stop, foils, holds at bay, overrides, disallows, vetoes, averts, avoids, nips in the bud, renders harmless ...

Think, Play, Do = Innovation

2009-05-16T13:40:00.003+01:00

A simple view of 'Innovation', inspired by the company and book Think, Play, Do.

The company was founded by Professors David Gann (Imperial College) and Mark Dodgson (University of Queensland). Headed by Professor David Gann, the I&EG at Imperial College now boasts the largest academic group focussed on innovation and entrepreneurship management in Europe and is closely linked to top academics across the world. Think, Play, Do

What will you model in Southbeach 0.9?

2009-05-10T18:39:00.002+01:00

Idioms are small models that illustrates key facets of a problem or situation. But where is the line drawn between a complete model and a small idioms? Take this model for example. It's clearly not a complete model, but it's larger, and more complex, than typical 3 block idioms. We call it a pattern. This pattern, while unusual, could occur in the real world. In fact it is drawn from the real world ... any guesses?

This model illustrates several of the new features in Southbeach 0.9.

Money does NOT create happiness

2009-04-28T20:03:00.004+01:00

In Southbeach Notation 0.9 every effect can be tagged 'NOT'. In addition, effects can be 'potential' (signified in the same way as potential agents using a dotted line).

In this model, money (useful) does NOT create happiness, but money sure has the potential (dotted line) to increase happiness. The ? on the line signifies 'questionable'. That is, the assertion would be disputed by some. Questionable effecs are another new feature in 0.9.

Using NOT is not the same as the counter effect. For example, NOT creating happiness is not the same as destroying happiness.

In Southbeach, effects often form pairs of counter effects, for example:

Produces/Counteracts
Creates/Destroys
Contributes To/Detracts From
etc.

It is important to understand the difference between these pairs of opposites and NOT. For example, the counter effect to 'Prevents', is not 'Allows'. 'NOT Prevents' is 'Allows'. So what is the counter effect to 'Prevents?' We'll leave you with this exercise.

The introduction of NOT in Southbeach 0.9 allows models to express deficiency and requirements in new ways. This is important in business problem solving, since the absense of something (i.e. NOT), itself may represent a problem, or an opportunity.

Avoiding Issues and Choices

2009-04-28T19:38:00.003+01:00

This small model illustrates some of new the features (semantics) in the forthcoming 0.9 release of Southbeach Notation. The lozenge shape we call an 'issue' - sometimes called a 'question'. Effects into an issue drive its resolution. Effects out of an issue only occur once the issue has been resolved. In this model, a business problem is creating the need to resolve an issue. However, lots of reasons are being found/invented to counteract the issue. Which of these two forces win decides whether the business moves beyond the issue to take the decision it needs to take.

The diamond shape represents a 'choice' or 'decision'. Effects into the diamond drive the decision to be taken. The effects out of the diamond are mutually exclusive (unless they are marked as 'inevitable').

Using 'issue' and 'choices', a wide range of new situations can be represented in Southbeach.

"The evil octopus is killing the nice fish."

2008-12-10T19:41:00.003Z

Our thanks to Anders Jangbrand of CSC for this amusing model. As you can see, Southbeach, while retaining a high integrity of meaning, can nevertheless express concepts visually.

A blessing in disguise

2008-12-08T12:35:00.002Z

Everything is both useful and harmful. Decomposing agents into their useful and harmful elements is central to TRIZ and to Southbeach. We understand this instinctively in life. Hence the saying, a blessing in disguise. In this model, the blessing (useful) has a dotted border. In Southbeach, this means 'potential'. We have also added the delay modifier to the production ... since the blessing is often realized later than the immediate harm.

Look after the pennies...

2008-11-17T15:26:00.004Z

... and the pounds will look after themselves

Killing two (harmful) birds with one (useful) stone

2008-10-30T14:33:00.002Z

An amusing model, suggested by Anders Jangbrand of CSC.

A trend in the past, coupled to an event in the present, could trigger bad stuff in the future

2008-10-16T14:27:00.006+01:00

Southbeach supports the concept of "Separation" For example, a model could be separated into those parts which relate to the past, present and future. Other types of separation include, in space, by structure, by perspective, by role, etc. (The Southbeach tool gives all the options).

Here, we show a simple model of the financial crisis. Over leverage and derivative instruments in the past was a growing trend. Note the use of conjunction to link the past trend with the current trigger event, leading to actual bank failure in the present, and a potential future epression.

An ace up one's sleave

2008-05-14T17:58:00.003+01:00

A potential ace card becomes a real ace card, in play. The effect (change from potential ace to real ace in play) is created by an opportune moment which we must wait for.

An accident waiting to happen

2008-05-14T17:56:00.001+01:00

An accident waiting to happen. The potential accident is created by an event - delayed/waiting. The event that causes the accident can be counteracted by hindsight.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

2008-05-14T17:54:00.005+01:00

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Note the strong useful effect.

Entrepreneurs

2008-05-10T06:24:00.003+01:00

The right culture creates entrepreneurs. But what is an entrepreneur. They are more than a risk taker. They are in fact risk averse, and they focus on outcomes through drive and passion. It is this combination that creates successful new ventures. Ventures are inherently both about outcomes, and risks.

A new strategy is needed

2008-05-10T06:22:00.003+01:00

A new strategy (Blue Ocean) is needed. It is required for the successful potential transformation of the company, and it counteracts a harmful potential buy out of the company.

Any means to an end

2008-05-10T06:15:00.003+01:00

A company is capable of both making money, and losing money. It employs any means to make one happen and not the other.

Too much of a good thing

2008-05-10T06:09:00.003+01:00

Good things can lead to two behaviors, moderation and excess.

Design patterns

2008-05-10T06:01:00.002+01:00

Designers create designs. That process can be observed, building up a store of design patterns. Those patterns can be consumed by lessor designers, transfering skills they would otherwise not have.

Is policy stronger than advice?

2008-05-10T05:56:00.004+01:00

Both advice and policy can control behavior, and while some businesses believe that policy is a stronger effect, this "useful" effect can counteract personal initiative, leading to a non-proactive culture.

Profit Cost Tension

2008-05-10T05:53:00.003+01:00

There is always a tension between profit and cost in any useful business.

Complication

2008-04-26T09:27:00.005+01:00

Complication.
A development that complicates a situation.

Sometimes our expectation of achieving our goal gets in the way of us coping with the unexpected. A development that complicates the situation can create confusion. This extra complexity in itself is often insufficient to stop us. However, we must focus on dealing with complexities as they arise in order to reduce the confusion and avoid creating greater ramifications that if not dealt with, can destroy our expectations completely.

Credibility gap

2008-04-22T11:06:00.004+01:00

For example: In the 1960's President Nixon asked African Americans "to judge him by his deeds and not his words". They did, but were disappointed.

Skeleton in the cupboard

2008-04-11T13:07:00.001+01:00

A potential source of shame produces a disproportionate amount of worry (overloaded). Secrecy inadequately counteracts the source of shame.

SWOT semantic

2008-04-11T09:56:00.000+01:00

What is a SWOT chart? Here is a Southbeach model that describes it perfectly.

Weaknesses counteract strengths. Weaknesses produce threats. Threats counteract opportunities, which are produced by strengths. Threats are potential. Opportunities are potential goals - only realizable if the strengths can be maximised and not limited by the threats.

Calculated risk

2008-04-06T07:38:00.000+01:00

This situation will get worse unless we focus on taking action. True, that action could make things worse more quickly but that risk is small by comparison to the potential benefits that can only be achieved through this path.

Look at it this way: We have to weigh up the potential benefits against the risks and act to achieve our goal.

Thin on the ground

2008-04-06T07:15:00.000+01:00

This is all good stuff. However, we must focus on our work force. We have insufficient people to complete the work required to realise our potential and achieve our goal.

The slippery slope

2008-04-05T19:04:00.002+01:00

There is no one way of modeling a situation in Southbeach. This interpretation of the slippery slope may not be yours. Things get worse, the retarding action is insufficient to counteract the change. The accelerating action is overloaded.

Give the green light

2008-04-05T18:56:00.001+01:00

Permission is required to get from where we are to where we want to go.

Good to great

2008-04-05T18:52:00.001+01:00

Change is required to go from good to great.

Shortcut

2008-04-05T18:42:00.001+01:00

Avoiding the steps that are unnecessary (harmful)

Contradiction

2008-04-05T18:22:00.001+01:00

So is the contradiction useful or harmful? It is both.

Boiling point

2008-04-05T18:16:00.001+01:00

Going over an energy limit, causes a transfer of state.

Useful

2008-04-05T17:44:00.000+01:00