Money does NOT create happiness

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

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."

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

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...

... and the pounds will look after themselves

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

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

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

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

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

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

Entrepreneurs

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

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

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

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

Design patterns

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.