Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Solutions to Complex Problems





Inspiration
Microsoft 'Idea' from Clip Art|
An individual can find a simple solution to problems, 
which change the way we do things. That innovative 
idea can evade discovery from many people. The 
answer, the innovation, often is staring them in their 
faces; one of those, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?” 
moments! Complex problem solutions are more 
effective solved pooling resources of more than 
one person.



Innovation Through Collaboration
Microsoft 'Idea' from Clip Art

Schreibman and Christakis discuss the structured design dialogue 
process (SDDP) in their paper The New Angora. The SDDP 
recognizes the multiple differences brought to the table by a group of people from various cultures and experiences. Through a structured process of gathering ideas, recognizing the inter-dependencies of potential solutions, and translating the terminology and conceptual understanding into a common language, a group can optimize a 
solution accepted by all. 


Christakis, A. The SDDP Process


SDDP is actually another hybrid of the Delphi Method; an interactive process gathering data, evaluating, taking another look and refining. The Delphi methods cycle to an accepted point of exhausted back and forth data and refining. The SDDP is more structured and facilitated to override the existing human flaws inherited through differences in language, culture, and experience. The SDDP makes a point of directly analyzing the differences caused by different individual thought processes, language specific to a culture, and knowledge and understanding molded through individuals’ life and education. Facilitation of the Delphi process was not originally set up to account for these differences; the Delphi process relies on group centered on a particular area of expertise. SDDP attempts to accommodate the interests of the group participating in the solution, and blend all participants into a common understanding

Organizational behaviorists determined several decades ago a limit to the number a manager, or a facilitator, or a teacher can appropriately manage in a group. The Delphi Methods recognized this fact with inputs from small to large groups. The New Media Consortium method utilizes the Internet, which the SDDP recognized, but with an open format of all members and a cadre of individual that rotate to referee the inputs and disseminate to all participants.

With experiences facilitators for subgroups in the SDDP the same factors of spread think and EPE come into to play although hidden in their subconscious. Educational systems and social cultural factors after years of built up experience are hard to eliminate. The forces are inherent in any innovative process.

Perhaps Sherden, in Future Sellers recommendation to weed out forecasts without the technological and trend base can provide a more sound approach to innovation. Sherden suggests empowering a group’s members, somewhat bounded by guiding principles. An open culture where information is shared offers an organizational climate that encourages the motivation to participate, and a sense of being an equal part of the group. To me, this sounds very similar to the way that the NMC determines their technology forecasts.

References

Christakis, A. The SDP Process

Follett, K. P. (2007). New agora: new geometry of languaging and new technology of democracy: the structured design dialogue process. Int. Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, Vol. 1

Sherden, W. A. (1998). Fortune Sellers

Vigdor Schreibman and Alexander N. Christakis
New Agora: New Geometry of Languaging And New Technology of Democracy: The Structured Design Dialogue Process




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