The Reality Gap

Very often, if you take the trouble to look closely, you will find what we call the 'reality gap' between what is said and what actually happens.  Between declared policy and actual practice.  Between what is needed and what is provided.  Between what was intended and what was delivered.

Profitability can fall in this gap.  People can get hurt. Corporate reputations can suffer.

"Simply Quoting the Rule Book is an Abdication of Professional Responsibility." (Safety Management: Beware the Reality Gap, IEE Management Magazine)

Do you ever find yourself or your people 'going through the motions' to no good purpose?  This undermines credibility and demoralises personnel.

'The Extra Terrestrial' - (He's from another planet.)

There are any number of people who will show you how to spend money - but not always to good effect.  Best practice is not always best fit.  The need is for a prudent, rational approach that tempers the pursuit of excellence with pragmatic recognition of the particular circumstances and business objectives.

“Don’t take your business hat off when you put your engineering (hard?) hat on.” (Mind the Gap; Aligning Business and Resource Vectors, IEE Management Magazine)

With the best of intentions, people can inadvertently distort your business.  Getting true alignment of resources/effort and business objectives is a significant challenge.

"..note that plant operators will tend to operate their plant on the basis of ‘MINIMUM AGGRO’ not ‘MAXIMUM PROFIT’." (Process Plant; How to Look Like a Hero!; Manufacturing Excellence Conference)

Want to make an impact? - be the agent that closes the reality gap in your company. How to start? - Take a look at 'Review Options'

Ask about our reality gap technical management articles; you may find them a refreshing change.