Creativity Tool: Reversed Pareto
However, I suggest that a reversal of the principle may be used as a creative tool. Here's a short explanation:
Classic Pareto: Pareto's rule (also known as the 20/80 rule) claims that 20% of what you do (or the resources you spend - time, money, personnel) is dedicated to 80% of your vital or more important activities, while the remaining 80% of your resources are dedicated to the trivial or much less important 20% of your activities.
In more practical terms, 20% of your efforts produce 80% of the results that really count, and vice-versa.
The normal application of this rule usually suggests that you focus more attention on the efforts that produce the most results, and thus have a stronger influence on the results.
Pareto Analysis and Pareto Charts are used to demonstrate the vital tasks and segments.
Why Reversed Pareto? A reversal of the Pareto Rule may be used as a trigger for examining the basic assumptions underlying your business model, organizational focus or personal activities.
In a way it is like asking yourself: "Are the things I/we consider important really vital?".
This is especially important if you feel that you efforts are not leading you in the right direction.
It may also be an interesting exercise if everyone in your environment (for example - your competitors) are using the same strategy and tactics, and you wish to differentiate yourself from the "crowd".
How to reverse the rule: Examine and list what you consider to be your vital activities, and your trivial ones. Choose 2-3 trivial activities, and answer the question "What if these were made to be my vital activities?". List both positive and negative results of the possible change in focus, as well as results that are interesting but not surely positive nor negative. Repeat this process until you find a change in focus that has enough positive or interesting effects. Implement the changes on a small scale or by a pilot project or a pioneering team, and examine the actual results. If you find a promising direction - go for it! Make that change! If you haven't - keep looking!
Related Tags: ideas, creativity, idea, reverse, principle, creative ideas, creative idea, creativity tools, paretro
Amir Elion is a management and innovation consultant and facilitator. His Practical Creativity website on http://www.best100ideas.com includes numerous creativity and innovation tools. The ideas on this article as well as other creative ideas in many fields and creativity tools, may be found on the free monthly Creative Ideas newsletter: http://www.best100ideas.com/newsletter.shtml
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