overwhelming syndrome Archives

80-20% rule in Risk Management practice: a way out of the overwhelming syndrome

Recently a client called us in to help determine the criticality of each element (division) of their business. They had developed a qualitative and indexed approach (FMEA/PIG risk matrix style). However they realized it neither yielded enough specific high quality information nor allowed sensible and informed decisions. We analyzed their system and found that the 80-20% rule in Risk Management practice: a way out of the overwhelming syndrome was true. More specifically they had difficulties in: Defining the appropriate level…

Leadership, Challenger explosion, Winston Churchill and overwhelming syndrome

Thirty years ago, on January 28th, 1986, the world watched speechlessly the explosion of Challenger space shuttle, a minute or so after lift-off. Seven crew perished in the accident. Based on this tragic failure, what can we learn from Leadership, Challenger explosion, Winston Churchill and overwhelming syndrome? Later, investigations determined that an o-ring failure in one of the rocket booster and cold weather were the root cause and ancillary factor for the explosion. Earlier, an engineer working at the manufacturers of…