WAVE Blog

By Larry Brown — President - -WAVE, Inc.

It seems to be inherent in human nature that when things go wrong, we look for people to blame. Yet, everyone desires to do a good job, have a fulfilling family and social life, be respected, and make a meaningful contribution to the world around them. The problem is almost always the system, rather than the people.

There is a lot of talk, and some effort, around reforming our nation’s educational systems. Young people, especially those facing multiple barriers to success in school, careers, and life, deserve schools and programs with high impact. Those of us entrusted with young lives should pay close attention to the systems we work in and the systems we set up to serve youth.

The Theory of Initial Conditions
Science has proven that in complex systems, often the smallest difference in the initial conditions (what you start with) will create the most profound difference in the eventual outcome. It is therefore essential that when beginning a complex project or task, all of the initial conditions are what you want and intend them to be.

85% of the Outcome
We should also pay attention to the work of quality guru W. Edward Deming. Involving the design of systems that continually improve themselves, Deming’s work shows us that 85% of every outcome is directly determined by what is done during the first 15% of the process.

When problems arise in systems, they can almost always be traced back to the beginning when ideas, communication, definitions, visions, steps, priorities, etc. were all presumed to be clear, but were not. So schools, programs, and organizations find themselves having to backtrack and redesign or clarify. By getting the first 15% right, we avoid missteps and inefficiencies, and everyone’s effectiveness, workload, and joy improve as a result.

96% of Problems Lie in the System
Deming proved a tenet that 96 percent (he was, after all, a statistician) of problems lie not with people, but in the system. So getting the system right, by getting the first 15% right, helps ensure that we a create a plan that is designed to accomplish what we intend so that the people working within the system can work with confidence and freedom to act in the best interest of each other.

Better is Always Different
Finally, doing something differently will not guarantee that it will be done better. However, anything that is done better will always be different. So the next time you are involved in designing a system, step back and consider how to do things differently. When we design and implement different and better systems, more teachers, youth workers, and young people will thrive.

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