idea
Most systems that can be controlled are steered at a derivative level (e.g. steering wheel for direction, diet for weight loss, features for business goal).
A goal is necessary to set the system, and progress towards the goal needs to be tracked to adjust the system accordingly (aka steering). Control is achieved by tuning the system, e.g. restricting calories more, turning the wheel more, changing direction in the features being built.
This is pure causality, you can only act on the cause and observe the consequence.
A side effect to that rule is that to drive effectively, iterating through cause and consequences fast is required.
links
- delegation frameworks are teams steering wheels and require regular tuning based on observed results
- agile are principles related to adjusting the system in real time.
- When goals are unclear, themes can be used instead of goals. (e.g. Reducing the number of defects)
- A PID controller is a control mechanism that steers a system based on a set goal.
references
- Atomic Habits by James Clear is discussing focusing on the system. He wrote articles on the topic in Life hacker / Get More Done By Focusing on Systems Instead of Goals and his website: Forget About Setting Goals. Focus on This Instead.
- Scott Adams discussed this on his blog / Goals vs. Systems