Failure

One Thing

Life is less complicated when there is one key to success or one thing that causes a negative result. We can focus on the one thing and either amplify or suppress its consequence. But rarely does one thing take the headline and all the influence on results. For example, if we can prevent lightning from striking forests, then all wildland fires would cease. If all planes had parachutes, there would never be another aviation disaster. If all athletes were tested daily, then no one would be seduced to take performance-enhancing drugs. If all roads were one-way, head-on vehicle accidents would cease to exist.

All these statements feel suitable at first read, but reality is more complex. Nature and human behavior have demonstrated that evolution and adaptation happen, and new events take their place.

Are you focusing on one thing that will guarantee success or avoid disaster? If so, are you sure that one thing is everything?

System Constraints

What is the constraint on your system? Where is your point of failure? Do you lack sufficient inputs? Is there not enough time? Are you not fast enough?

Once our system reaches a significant constraint, it fails to grow. We can accept the failure as a ceiling or retool and evaluate options to circumvent the constraint.

How we handle constraints and respond to system failures adds depth and dimension to our work.

Not As Planned

Despite a simple design, the package label was affixed to the box in the wrong corner. The parcel arrived and no delays were encountered. However, the designers must wonder what they need to do to achieve a higher level of compliance.

What systems have we established that appear straightforward and yet the plurality of users fail to follow the instructions? What works but not as designed? Is it worth redesigning or living with individuals struggling to follow the instructions? How many people wander down the ‘do not enter’ entrance, take photos of the protected artwork, reply to unmonitored email addresses, make contributions without designating their intentions, or ask questions before the Q&A session? Nothing was broken but the system grinds a little louder.

Showing the Mistakes

What barriers keep us from sharing our mistakes and helping others be better at their work? It is remarkable that a pilot posts multiple close calls to emphasize the benefits of learning from each other. Youtube has many how-to videos, and some of the most memorable are the failures and not just the perfect process.

What mistakes and failures would you be willing to share? What scenario has set the conditions for you to share your successes and failures?

It is not an adventure if you know you can finish…

Screen Shot 2019-08-11 at 6.29.32 PMThe Barkley Marathon is a backcountry ultrarunning competition consisting of 100+ miles of unmarked trails outside of Wartburg, Tennessee.  The race is considered one of the most extreme events, with just 15 finishers since 1989.  The course is a 20-mile loop and navigated in both directions, with a 60-hour time limit.  The documentary, Where Dreams Go to Die provides a glimpse into the epic confluence of unsustainable endurance meshed with sleep deprivation.  If you complete three laps, you have unofficially finished the ‘fun run,’ and that is considered a high honor in the running world.

What makes Barkley remarkable?  The failure.  Participants drop-out before completing the first loop.  The course devours half the field before two laps.    An event that embraces and celebrates defeat is considered the pinnacle of ultrarunning.  The stories and legends strengthen the myth and mystery. 

What experience would we offer if fans accepted failure in exchange for an extraordinary adventure?  What can we learn from Barkley?  Which failures have given depth to our stories?