“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”
Volumes have been written on decision-making and this pundit has offered his share of insight and comment on the subject as well. Some of our comments regard the appropriateness of the human intercession in electronic decision making. Others raise questions regarding algorithm fallibility. Moreover, Human Factors must be considered for any technology initiative which are becoming increasingly important.
If one unpacks the previous paragraph a substantial level of complexity emerges. As complexity increases so does risk and the need from proper governance. However, many still see this potential transformation through the lens of just another IT initiative.
Roadmap
The oil and gas industry faced a similar dilemma at the dawn of the 21st Century. At the time, referred to as DOFF or Digital Oilfield of the Future, a plethora of technologies became available. The task was to transform 100 plus years of traditional operation to what is now referred to as the Digital Oilfield, aka Integrated Operations and a number or synonyms. While this processes continues to evolve as new solutions emerge, i.e., Cloud, at the time much was trial and error.
In conjunction with industry leadership, we released our Roadmap to Enterprise Optimization: A Guide to the Impact of Information Driven Field Operations on the Petroleum Corporation in the fall of 2004. We believe it was the first industry (POSC) supported effort that was not simply research but a ‘bona fide’ action plan or roadmap to success based on industry/other knowledge, standards, economic value and best practices.
Click for full size Integrated Operations Framework or graphic
Since then, we have updated this roadmap into an Operational Excellence Platform. Note that Integrated Operations is a key component. The platform is a robust detailed solution that is available not just to the energy sector but all sectors identified by Homeland Security as Critical Infrastructure. These sectors were recently identified as susceptible to hacking by the US government.
Getting Smart
Enormous corporate (shareholder) wealth has been destroyed implementing ‘game changing’ technology enabled transformation efforts. Are we about to do that again, getting smart? The easy answer is yes, but it does not have to be.
Roadmap constructs are well understood and provide guidance. In some models the step by step process provide practitioners with well defined models that can lead to success–defined as on time and under budget performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
We are in the process of writing a book, to be released in 2022. One chapter will define a roadmap for the transformation to ‘Smart’ for a major industrial segment. As with earlier works, it will focus on the human element aligned with a technology assessment process.
Get Smart was a comedic TV show spoofing the Cold War ‘spy’ environment of the 1960s. Getting Smart today may not be a lot different. The goal under a ‘Cone of Silence‘ was to attain and sustain competitive advantaged achieving superior stakeholder returns.
Getting smart in 2021 will require a ‘Roadmap to Smart.’ A set of ‘to do’ processes that assures success.
What is your Organization’s Plan to put Smart Decisioning Making Processes in Place?
For More Information
Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials. They are provided for education and entertainment only.
For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game
We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020. Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!
You can contact this author as well.