1.9 Wrong thing righter?
The systems writer Russell Ackoff provides a useful commentary, which has a significant bearing on maintaining a critical stance on innovation. In the following extract from his writings, his reference to reformations approximates to incremental innovation and the reference to transformations approximates to more radical innovations, particularly at the system level.
Reformations and transformations are not the same thing. Reformations are concerned with changing the means systems employ to pursue their objectives. Transformations involve changes in the objectives they pursue. Peter Drucker put this distinction dramatically when he said there is a difference between doing things right (the intent of reformations) and doing the right thing (the intent of transformations).
The righter we do the wrong thing, the wronger we become. When we make a mistake doing the wrong thing and correct it, we become wronger. When we make a mistake doing the right thing and correct it, we become righter. Therefore, it is better to do the right thing wrong than the wrong thing right. This is very significant because almost every problem confronting our society is a result of the fact that our public policy makers are doing the wrong things and are trying to do them righter.
Activity 10 Eco-innovations – wrong thing right or right thing wrong?
Having read the preceding extract, comment on your own experiences of eco-innovation (it could be related to an item, process, idea, etc.). Which eco-innovations would you consider to be doing the ‘wrong thing right’ or doing the ‘right thing wrong’?
Provide your answer...
Discussion
Using Ackoff’s ideas, it is possible to conclude that the invention of the car was a major transformation in transport systems. All the subsequent improvements and refinements might justifiably be considered as reformations – perhaps with the exception of electric cars – because they are still within the framing of an oil-based engine. In which case, we could conclude the modern car, however efficient, is more of the same – i.e. doing the wrong thing righter. But cars are also becoming more fuel- and material-efficient. Is the increasing move to more fuel-efficient and electric cars evidence of some transformation?
Multiple perspectives are inevitable in answering these kinds of questions. But Ackoff’s commentary and shorthand phrasing is a potent reminder that humans have innovated throughout our history, but not all innovations have proved to be desirable either in the short or long term. It is also a reminder that it may not be necessary to innovate – i.e. engage in transformation if we are trying to do the right thing in the first place. In this case, incremental innovations might be an appropriate strategy.