Crime

This may come as a bit of a surprise, but crime is not the hallmark of our times.

There is some evidence that other eras and other economic structures have also been plagued with crime ... now, to the question: Is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of detection?

Detection will find the criminal and sometimes will put him in jail to be corrected, but considering how much we get for one pound in modern correctional facilities, it does not seem as a good investment.

Prevention, if it works, will stop criminals before they commit a crime, but does it work?

Let's review two cases.
Case one is prevention by fear: Detection may be so effective, and punishment so harsh, that crooks outside perceive that crime does not pay, and stop. You still have a lot of people getting a free lunch in jail, and a lot of detectives in the payroll. It may work, but it costs more than an ounce.
Case two is prevention by education and values.

Well ... I believe it can be done, and I like to think I am involved in it, but then, I am a romantic, and a dreamer.

Fungus

Problem

This is my favorite checkist.

Problem solving 101

1. Document the desired state (where you want to be).
If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
(L. Carroll)

Describe it in a SMART way: Specific, Achievable, Measurable, Relevant, Time framed

2. Document the present state (where you are today)
If you don't know where you are, a map won't serve.
(W. Humphrey)
In measurable terms comparable to #1

3. Understand the system through one or more of:
3.a. SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
3.b. Ishikawa (or fishbone) root cause analysis
3.c. Process diagrams (process charts)
3.d. Activity flowcharts
3.e. Value stream maps
3.f. Ask 5 times "why?"
3.g. Expert analysis
... there are others, but this is good enough to start with.

4. Document the reasons why you are not where you want to be (aka root causes) and group them in: communication, training, process, product and tool.

5. Fix the process to improve communication, training, process, product and tool as needed.

6. Measure the results
(are you closer to your goal?)
... and go back to square one.

This is as easy as 123, but most of us don't do it.
We say it's boring. It does not let creativity flow. We think we are better than that.

And maybe, just maybe, some managers don't appreciate the quiet and systematic solution of problems. They want to see struggle long hours, working weekends, heroes and casualties. The whole nine yards.
After all, John Wayne, James Bond, Dirty Harry and Catwoman never used a checklist.

Fungus