REPLY "Flawless Consulting" and SD (SD6636)

[SDMAIL Bob Eberlein]

Posted by  Bob Eberlein <bob at vensim.com>

A short comment on this. There is a lot of discussion of data in this
thread but as I understand from the original query data was intended to
mean all information about the problem domain, the people involved, what
is at stake, how information is exchanged and everything else. The 
question posed was whether using a style of front end interaction in a
project, such as "Flawless Consulting" leads to more effective 
engagements. 

Actually I don't think the intention was to restrict such methodologies 
to the front end and that means there are two different questions to
be considered. First, are there methodologies that increase the 
effectiveness or efficiency of information gathering? Second are the 
methodologies that increase the likelihood of implementation success?

In my limited experience the answer to the first question is no. It is
best not to completely alienate the problem stakeholders, but beyond that
the key to getting good information in a timely manner is knowing what to
look for and being persistent. I don't know the answer to the second 
question. It seems like it should be yes, I want it to be yes, but I have
never seen anything that is both methodical and effective. 

Bob Eberlein
Posted by  Bob Eberlein <bob at vensim.com>
posting date  Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:33:25 +0100