The ISO standards are supposedly famous for the following quote:
"Say/write precisely what you will do and do exactly as what you said/wrote you will"
"Say/write precisely what you will do and do exactly as what you said/wrote you will"
Two words from the above are worth looking into at a more granular level.
Precise and Exact.
So what do they mean?
Precise (Reference: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/precise)
adjective
1. definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed: precise directions.
2. being exactly that and neither more nor less: a precise temperature; a precise amount.
3. being just that and no other: the precise dress she had wanted.
4. definite or exact in statement, as a person.
5. carefully distinct: precise articulation.
6. exact in measuring, recording, etc.: a precise instrument.
7. excessively or rigidly particular: precise observance of regulations; precise grooming.
adjective
1. strictly accurate or correct: an exact likeness; an exact description.
2. precise, as opposed to approximate: the exact sum; the exact date.
3. admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.
4. capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.
5. characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.
If you want things to happen in a certain way, every time it is done, what is the best way to ensure it happens with the same consistency.
The best bet is - define precisely how things have to happen and ask for things to be done exactly as it has been defined.
That will certainly ensure the certainty of the outcome, come what may.
Remember the following quote:
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results."
It can very well be rephrased as:
"It is perfectly sane and sensible to do the same thing over and over again, and not only expect but indeed obtain results that are no different"
The above also reflects the power of using a systems-driven and process-oriented approach.
At this point, based on the above, it should be obviously clear why compliance to laid down processes is so very important.
That would ensure the following:
That is really not true and will be dwelt upon in detail in another post.
At this point, however, it is not hard to see that as the process is precisely laid down and exactly adhered to, changes/improvements that need to happen to the process will be obviously easy to determine.
That will eventually aid in continual improvement to the process.
Note:
The quote "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results." is generally attributed to Albert Einstein but apparently he said none of it.
Rita Mae Brown, the mystery novelist in her 1983 book "Sudden Death", attributes the above quote to a fictional "Jane Fulton," writing, "Unfortunately, Susan didn't remember what Jane Fulton once said. 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.'"
4. definite or exact in statement, as a person.
5. carefully distinct: precise articulation.
6. exact in measuring, recording, etc.: a precise instrument.
7. excessively or rigidly particular: precise observance of regulations; precise grooming.
Exact (Reference: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/exact)
adjective
1. strictly accurate or correct: an exact likeness; an exact description.
2. precise, as opposed to approximate: the exact sum; the exact date.
3. admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.
4. capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.
5. characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.
Going through the details of the dictionary meanings of the two key words makes it amply clear as to why the statement "Say/write precisely what you will do and do exactly as what you said/wrote you will" is so very logical and so very sensible.
Think about it this way.
If you want things to happen in a certain way, every time it is done, what is the best way to ensure it happens with the same consistency.
The best bet is - define precisely how things have to happen and ask for things to be done exactly as it has been defined.
That will certainly ensure the certainty of the outcome, come what may.
Remember the following quote:
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results."
It can very well be rephrased as:
"It is perfectly sane and sensible to do the same thing over and over again, and not only expect but indeed obtain results that are no different"
The above also reflects the power of using a systems-driven and process-oriented approach.
At this point, based on the above, it should be obviously clear why compliance to laid down processes is so very important.
That would ensure the following:
- There is certainty of outcome at the end of the whole thing.
- Not only that, it is also clear as to what should come out at each intermediate step.
- This will result in consistency and certainly of deliverable(s) produced by the process.
- The steps including their sequence that needs to be followed while performing an activity are precisely known.
- Not only that, they can be easily traced back to the defined process.
- This will ensure high level of process compliance.
- It is clear as to what steps should have been taken and what were, so the gaps, if any, that need to be taken care of, are obvious.
- This will facilitate quick and objective process assessments or audits.
That is really not true and will be dwelt upon in detail in another post.
At this point, however, it is not hard to see that as the process is precisely laid down and exactly adhered to, changes/improvements that need to happen to the process will be obviously easy to determine.
That will eventually aid in continual improvement to the process.
Note:
The quote "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results." is generally attributed to Albert Einstein but apparently he said none of it.
Rita Mae Brown, the mystery novelist in her 1983 book "Sudden Death", attributes the above quote to a fictional "Jane Fulton," writing, "Unfortunately, Susan didn't remember what Jane Fulton once said. 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.'"
