on Systems Thinking

A listing in reverse chronological order of articles by:

JD Solomon — Communicating with FINESSE series

Robert (Bob) J. Latino — The RCA series

Using Statistical Process Control in Environmental Root Cause Analysis

We often jump to the wrong conclusions when non-compliance occurs. Non-compliance occurs when the standards and regulations designed to protect public health and the environment are unmet. Obviously, we must reduce immediate risks. However, these measures often address the symptoms and not the root causes. This leads to further delays or doubling down on the wrong things as we move through mitigation that misses the mark. Using statistical process control in environmental root cause analysis is one way to make sure you’re getting it right!

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by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

FINESSE Fishbone: The First E Stands For Empathy

Reliability engineers are challenged to effectively communicate their technical information to senior managers and the public. The FINESSE fishbone diagram is a proven, systems-based approach for meeting the communications challenge. The first E in the FINESSE fishbone diagram stands for Empathy. These are four tips to help you improve your empathy and empathetic listening.

Essentials Elements of RCA

IS ALL RCA CREATED EQUAL? In this short ‘Getting Back to Basics’ video, Bob Latino attempts to breakdown what the term ‘RCA’ actually means to those who implement it. He will strip away the RCA marketing labels and focus on the elements/functions of an effective approach to analyzing undesirable outcomes. In end, viewers will reflect if their approach is consistent with ‘Root Cause Analysis’ or ‘Shallow Cause Analysis’.

What do you see, in practice, as the difference between RCA and Shallow Cause Analysis?

Remember PROACT V1

A little bit of nostalgia over a long weekend. Ken Latino reminisces a bit about the start of PROACT software. Learn a little about how it all started and how far reliability software has come over the past 30 years.

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by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

FINESSE Fishbone: The N Stands for Noise Reduction

The N in the FINESSE fishbone diagram stands for Noise reduction. Cause-and-effect relationships and systems thinking are essential aspects of any communication system. We normally think of noise in four forms – the way people mentally process information, the types of forums where we present, visual and auditory effects, and communication channels. These three tips and a video clip provide focused examples.

Make Sure Your Message Is Clear

Few technical professionals fully leverage the editing tools or consistently apply the techniques to Google, Adobe, Microsoft, or social media applications. From word count to spoken words to readability, this article touches on key approaches to making your reports and presentations more concise.

Asset Risk Analyzer

In this episode, we will demonstrate a free tool that can be used to help with bad actor analysis. ITUS Digital offers a free (limited version) tool to help get started with determining opportunities for equipment improvement. www.assetriskanalyzer.com

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FINESSE Fishbone: The I Stands for Illustrate

Technically trained professionals often get wrapped up in things like visualization, which distracts us from our mission. Our mission is to provide information to decision makers, and technical professionals are trusted advisors. So, most of our graphics, visuals, and videos should be informational. The I in FINESSE stands for Illustrate. Illustrate includes all the visuals, graphics, videos, and other media used in technical reports and presentations. These three tips and a short video provide focused examples.

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by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

FINESSE Fishbone: The F Stands for Frame

The F in the FINESSE fishbone diagram stands for Frame. Effective communication requires systems thinking. That’s the good news for most technical professionals – you do not need to be perfect but only need the cause-and-effect bones of FINESSE to work together. These are three tips to help you develop the frame.

Use “The Greatest Fear”

Focusing on your greatest fear is an alternative way to frame a problem. Framing the problem is also the first step in effective communication using the FINESSE approach for problems with high levels of complexity and uncertainty. [Read more…]

by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

Systems Thinking and a Better Way to Develop Business Presentations

Most technical professionals find themselves bogged down by inefficient presentation preparation methods that result in information overload and diluted messaging. We need a better way. Business presentations are critical in conveying strategic visions, securing stakeholder buy-in, and driving decision-making. Improving the presentation development process results in increased productivity, cost savings, more effective communication, and better work-life balance. This article explores innovative strategies to streamline the development of business presentations. [Read more…]

by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

Series Kickoff: The Seven Bones of the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram

In the upcoming months, look for an article on each of the seven bones of the FINESSE fishbone diagram. I’ll provide three insights and a three-minute video on each bone. You’ll see the cause-and-effect relationships and why communication is a system just like any other type of physical system. The series is a good introduction for those unfamiliar with FINESSE and a refresher for those who are.

Systems Thinking

A system is a collection of interrelated or interacting parts, each of which can affect the behavior or outcomes of the whole. One defining property of a system is that it provides a function that none of the parts can accomplish by themselves. The corollary is that a system is not the sum of the parts but the product of their interactions.

A communication system is the same as any other system. The good news for technical professionals is that you do not have the best-looking, most eloquent, or smartest person in the room to be an effective communicator. You just need to trust the system.

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by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

Communicating PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

The United States Conference of Mayors created a PFAS Toolkit. The information and resources included provides insights into several key aspects that local governments and businesses should be aware of in relation to PFAS (forever chemicals). Key parts of the PFAS Toolkit are presented here.

PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water: Overview

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals developed in the 1940s that have been used in a variety of consumer products like semiconductors, cellphones, textiles, renewable energy, and medical devices. Two chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are no longer produced today, but they were once used in a wide variety of industries. Today, trace levels of PFOA and PFOS can be measured in water, air, soil, animals, humans, and some consumer products globally. PFOA/PFOS are persistent in the environment, and some studies suggest that long-term exposure at increased doses may lead to negative health impacts. [Read more…]

by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

Communicating Reliability Starts with Being Able to Quickly Define It

Reliability is one of the most overworked and misunderstood words in the world of facilities and infrastructure. Reliability is also one of the most powerful and important words. Properly evaluating and communicating reliability resolves risk, safety, quality, compliance, and human performance. Reliability also frames a powerful and effective systems approach instead of leaving gaps by cobbling together individual assets and components. Effectively communicating reliability starts with being able to quickly define it, [Read more…]

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Five Helpful Tips for Leading Reliability Assessments

Assessing critical infrastructure and facilities is essential for maintaining performance as systems age. Mid-level engineers are frequently tasked with leading a reliability assessment with limited training. The good news is that you don’t need to be a subject matter expert to be successful. But you do need a structured collaboration approach and a mental model to help you through the tough spots. Success rises and falls based on the quality of the facilitation. [Read more…]

by Ramesh Gulati Leave a Comment

Data Collection Techniques for Failure Analysis

In this edition of the Prelical Video Podcast, we will be exploring techniques for data collection when performing failure analysis. You can learn more from our book on Root Cause Analysis entitled Root Cause Analysis – Improving Performance for Bottom-Line Results.

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by JD Solomon Leave a Comment

How Building Better Business Cases Improves Reliability

A Business Case Evaluation (BCE) is a decision-making tool that assists in making value-based funding decisions. Business cases are developed in the early capital and operating budget planning cycles as a standardized and systematic process to analyze the benefits and costs of various options to solve an identified problem or a cost-saving/revenue-generating idea. A big part of building better business cases is analyzing the system over the long term for monetary and non-monetary aspects. Building better business cases improves reliability and performance by formally documenting “needs” versus “wants.” Business cases serve as a powerful communication tool at all levels of an organization. [Read more…]