Finding an Optimum - 'More Haste: Less Speed'

The video discusses the instinct to find the optimum in management and the challenges faced in doing so. It introduces Jevons Paradox, which shows how increased efficiency can lead to higher resource consumption, and Bress's Paradox, which explains how adding capacity can slow traffic. The video concludes with advice on problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of considering alternatives and unintended consequences.

What is a common challenge in finding the optimum in project management?

• Each project is unique, making it hard to apply past lessons.

• There is no need for methodologies.

• Projects are always the same.

• Lessons from one project can be easily applied to another.

Why is it important to monitor the impact of changes in projects?

• The same changes work for every project.

• Monitoring is unnecessary.

• Changes always lead to success.

• Sometimes changes don't work as expected.

What did Jevons observe about the impact of more efficient steam engines?

• They had no impact on coal consumption.

• They increased demand for machines, leading to higher coal consumption.

• They made coal obsolete.

• They reduced coal consumption.

What is the main idea behind Bress's paradox?

• Traffic flow is unaffected by road changes.

• Removing a major route can improve traffic flow.

• Adding more roads always speeds up traffic.

• More roads lead to less traffic.

What should project managers be cautious of when solving problems?

• Always choosing the simplest solution.

• Ignoring unintended consequences.

• Following the same path as others.

• Evaluating all alternatives carefully.

What lesson can be learned from Jevons and Bress's paradoxes?

• Consider unintended consequences and evaluate alternatives.

• Ignore past experiences.

• Always take the obvious route.

• More resources always speed up projects.

What did the narrator's father teach about project management?

• Speed is always beneficial.

• More haste, less speed.

• More haste, more speed.

• Haste is unnecessary.