Presentation is about Asking better questions about Complexity in Mining and going beyond to Disrupt Systems Thinking
Managing variability means asking a better question: What constraints are in place?
Also can ask: What level of freedom are people experiencing to perform work?
A Process is a structured, disciplined constraint
Being Agile enables flexibility and speed to adjust to varying unexpected conditions
Knowns: distance, equipment performance
Unknowns: weather, orebody geology
EY identified 8 common pitfalls
We asked the question: Where does each pitfall map onto the Cynefin Framework? Let’s look at 3 of them.
Remote decision-making [6] is near the Chaotic boundary because if in-fighting turns into war, you fall into Chaos
Better question: Who has a story about a conflict between Central control and local leaders?
Unclear Accountability [3] is also near the Chaotic boundary
Better question: Tell us about an incident where rules were broken to get work done
The figure outlined in red represents a cliff (folding a piece of paper over)
As the Disconnect grows, you move closer and closer to the edge
Eventually a tipping point is reached, a disaster or catastrophe emerges and you plunge into the Chaotic domain
Not being optimized [8] is in the Disorder domain since nobody knows why systems and processes are being used properly
Better question: What workarounds are used to be productive?
Three recommendations in Cynefin Complicated domain
Three that enter the Complex domain
Under Time and Cost is the Fail-Fast approach using Agile methodologies
Cultural change is in the Complex domain since we can’t predict what humans will do when faced with Uncertainty, Ambiguity in the form of Paradoxes, Dilemmas. It’s truly dealing with Unknown unknowns
New Operating Model stretching over the Complex and Complicated domains
How an organization balances between exploiting Disruption and running the business
Normally an organization doesn’t stay fixed in one domain but moves or flows between domains as the Present state evolves
We call this Cynefin Dynamics
The explore/exploit (Blue) loop is the EY recommendations
Webinar discussed the challenge of changing the business model
Each coloured loop is a strategy that can be implemented when the time is right
Why a Better Answer is Business Evolution rather than Business Transformation
It’s about managing the evolutionary potential of the Present rather than fixating on an Idealistic future state that may never materialize due to unforeseen circumstances
One more better question: How can an organization survive a Disaster? A Black Swan?
Answer: You build Resilience in terms of 3 capabilities
A: Emergency response team executes a fast recovery to drive the organization back into the Obvious domain
B: Resilience also means having a Creative proactive team available to seize serendipitous opportunities
C: Where the first 2 dealt with being hit and falling into the Chaotic domain, the 3rd capability involves AVOIDING the hit
EARLY DETECTION is the capability of ANTICIPATORY AWARENESS
Can deploy Machines built with Sensors, Algorithms
Also can train and equip everyone in the workforce to continually SCAN the HORIZON for bad and good vibes
Called a Human Sensor Network
For the 2017 #DisruptMining competition co-sponsored by Goldcorp and Integra Gold, submitted a proposal to build a Human Sensor Network at a mining location
