Why You Need Smart Enough Systems (Digital Short Cut) (PDF)

It is commonly believed that the computer-based systems most organizations rely on to support their businesses are not very smart. Many of the business decisions these companies make tend to be hidden in systems that make poor decisions, or don't make them at all. Further, most systems aren't configured to learn from the past and therefore struggle to keep up with the pace of change. While many organizations believe the answer is to implement newer, "intelligent" systems, the fact is that much of today's existing technology has the potential to be "smart enough" to make a big difference to an organization's business.

This digital Short Cut lays out a cry for systems that are smart enough to help companies survive and thrive in the world as it is today. Showing how the neglect of operational decisions prevents effective implementation of strategy and describing the characteristics of effective operational decision-making, the Short Cut establishes the role of operational decisions. The characteristics of the smart enough systems modern business needs are explained, and the absolute requirement for a new approach is outlined.

This Short Cut is a reproduction of the "Smart Enough Systems Manifesto" and "Why You Need Smart Enough Systems" chapters from the book.

This Short Cut should be of interest to software and business professionals. In particular, it will be of value to those managing information systems and application development projects in defining the goals they should have in building better systems, and to business owners who are frustrated by their current systems but cannot articulate how or why to change things.

Contents

The "Smart Enough Systems" Manifesto

Operational Decisions Are Important

Operational Decisions Can and Should Be Automated

Taking Control of Decisions is Increasingly a Source of Competitive Advantage

The Need for Smart Enough Systems

The Importance of Operational Decisions

Strategy Drives Decision-making

Strategy Is Not Static

Operational Decisions Matter

Operational Decisions Are Under Pressure

Operational Decision-Making as a Corporate Asset

Characteristics of Operational Decisions

Characteristics of Corporate Assets

Introducing Smart Enough Systems

Characteristics of Smart Enough Systems

Current Approaches Fail

Decision Management Is Required

Introducing Smart Enough Logistics