Magic, Art and Science

I was having a little difficulty conveying the message of Continuous Improvement, and came up with this.  I don't think I am the only person to come up with this idea, it seems very basic.

You can consider most processes to exist in one of three states of Control:  Magic, where it just happens, Art, where it can be helped to happen, and Science, where it can happen the same every time.

Beginning with science:  If you have a set of inputs, you put them through a process and get a set of outputs.  If you adjust the process, the outputs vary in a known way.  Math is a fine example.  Driving a new car is also an example: you know that putting so much pressure on the gas will result in so much acceleration.  Turing the steering wheel a bit will turn the car a bit.  You are rely on the outputs to make decisions.

Art is knowledge and wisdom of the outputs of a system and managing to make adjustments to approximate those outputs.  Our 2005 KIA Sedona has a couple quirks.  The coupling on the steering sticks and the transmission is going out.  When we drive, we approximate how much to turn the wheel then make adjustments until the van is heading in the direction we want.  We also press on the gas pedal (or release the gas pedal) so the van doesn't gallop as it tries to shift gears.  It is no longer science:  I wouldn't be able to set just anyone to driving the van, the driver would need to be experienced with the quirks.

Magic is getting the desired outputs.  Soon, the van will begin to fail in new and wonderful ways.  Then simply getting the van to start will be magic, since I won't know all the things wrong with it.  Another example is me in the kitchen.  I can try to add a seasoning or two to the meal, but I don't really know how the seasonings will react.  With magic, things become wonderful and unpredictable.

Occasionally, Art is a necessary transition.  You'll want the craftsmen and artists around you to help identify how things work.  However, this should be done with a scientific approach.  You want to gain control over the process.  You want to know how to utilize the process to get what you want every time.

Magic is seldom of benefit.  Fun, or frustrating, but not a repeatable process.

A point of interest, and I quote Arthur C. Clarke here:  "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."  You can have processes in your workspace that were once complete science.  Here's a wordy example, in story form:

Kevin loves to tinker with tech stuff.  He's got his i-devices all synced and his video viewing all configured.  He's got the power to see what he wants on the internet, local television, movie service, etc. with a single device.

Susan loves to knit.  She finds it calming and peaceful.  She makes gorgeous afghans, shawls and blankets.  Every year she knits both Kevin and herself a sweater.  She knits as she and Kevin watch programs together.

Kevin has the operation of the devices down to a science:  his one device sends the signal of each of the individual devices to make the video, sound, lighting, etc. all work.  Tragedy strikes.  Either Kevin is away on business for two weeks, or the device gets damaged, or something.  Something happens that necessitates the use of the individual remotes.  By Susan.

Susan has watched Kevin with his device, even used it herself.  But the individual remotes are typically transferred by Kevin into his main remote and promptly stashed away.  Now that Susan has to use these remotes, things start to regress.

First, the lights:  The house lights are either on of off, and the wall switch is used.
Then the Surround Sound.  It just stays off, the sound on the TV works (once Susan had the neighbor kid turn it off of mute)
Then the movie services.

In a short period of time, Susan is watching local TV and missing all her time with Kevin, growing more and more sad.

This story can happen at the office too.  Some wiz kid creates a Business Intelligence reporting structure,... the wiz kid is called away and the Business Intelligence becomes Business Struggling.  Some wonderful staff person orchestrates the delivery of mail to everyone in a special system,.... that person leaves and people have to go to the dock to get their packages again.  I am sure you have a few examples of your own.

Think on this some, maybe just being able to recognize where magic, art and science life in your life will help you identify where you are setting in place improvements.