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Should we aim for perfection?
Whenever I ask this question to Supply Chain professionals, I get a polarized response with each side having strong arguments and beliefs in what they think is the right way. Let me summarize.
Professionals who are against aiming for perfection say that it often takes us into surreal situations and leads to costly and high investment solutions. In any case, we can’t achieve perfection, so why look at those solutions?
On the other hand, professionals in favour of aiming for perfection say that this approach leads to fundamentally different solutions, which are difficult to visualize with incremental thinking. Are these solutions workable? Sure, but with a changed paradigm.
In my opinion, aiming for perfection nudges us to reexamine our policies, processes and practices which come in the way of perfection. It also points to areas where our current capabilities fall short of the requirements.
If we are willing to challenge the policies, processes, practices, and work on improving our capabilities, aiming for perfection is the way to go. If not, stay with incremental improvements.
Which one would you opt for?