Needless misunderstanding, ambiguity and conflict can occur when language and key terms are used without checking that their meaning is understood and shared. Failure to confirm meaning of the words that are important in our work together can seriously limit our ability to create and communicate ideas, reasoning and our intentions, which are the foundation of our creating and working together.
We can save a lot of time, sharpen our reasoning abilities, and communicate with each other more effectively if we watch for disagreements about the meaning of words and try to resolve them whenever we can. This glossary is provided to clarify the meaning attributed to key terms used in this SI&I website.
We welcome your suggestions for additions to this list.
Glossary
Capacity vs. Capability Ability, capability, and capacity are synonyms in many of their uses. All are frequently used to refer to one’s power to perform an action. Capacity carries a sense of volume or quantity. Capacity is often considered to be inborn, whilst ability is learned. Capability tends to refer to extremes: to have the capability to write a 10 page essay by tomorrow. One can either do it or not do it. Ability is more of a continuum. I might have the ability to write a novel, but I wouldn't say I have the capability. In general usage the terms are used interchangeably.
Design Design is a process that leads to an outcome. For example, before building a house we design it by developing a blueprint that provides a level of detailed thinking that considers how all the parts work together to achieve an outcome. This is distinct from planning which is merely the allocation of time and resources.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation (CI&I)
A shared process that enables individuals, teams, businesses, networks, projects and organisations to focus their thinking and action to achieve improvements and innovations regularly and frequently.
Focus
A specific area, with boundaries on which to concentrate attention, thinking, feelings and action to meet a specific need, opportunity or solve a problem for a clear SMARTT outcome goal.
Focus is your ability to centre your attention and energy on a specific task, object, or activity, for a sustained length of time. It allows you to shut out distractions, so that you can work persistently to achieve a desired state or goal.
Goal
The clear short; medium and/or long-term clear SMARTT outcome goal/s towards which resources and effort are directed.
Improvement vs. Innovation
Improvements are enhanced practices, processes, systems, products or services, whereas innovations are new practices, processes, systems, products or services.
Intent
A thing that an individual, team, project or business aims to achieve.
Mechanisms
The means (includes systems, processes, practices and tools) by which something is achieved.
Methodology
A system of methods and mechanisms used in a set and sequence, to achieve specific goals.
Methods
A means or manner of procedure, system, process, practice and mechanisms to achieve specific goals
Mission
A description of purpose, focus and primary objectives.
Momentum
The force, quality, motion, impetus and velocity for the goal
Need
An important or urgent personal, project, business, community or industry requirement, that must be addressed in order to achieve specific goals.
Network
A purposeful, value-adding partnership based on reciprocal transactions between partners that facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge between members of the network.
Operations
A set and sequence of actions and tools/mechanisms to achieve specific goals.
Opportunity
A set of alternatives, options, prospects or ideas for advancement or greater success in achieving a goal.
Partnership
Partnership is a dynamic, interdependent relationship between individuals or groups, usually involving close cooperating that is characterised by understood, mutual and specified intentions, purposes, roles, rights and responsibilities.
Practices
A set and sequence of key actions and tools/mechanisms to achieve specific goals.
Principles
Accepted rules about how people or things function and behave. They provide guidelines for the taking of action and the implementation of systems and processes. The principles one follows determine what assumptions we make about how the world operates.
Productivity The ratio of outputs divided by inputs. Improving productivity means more immediate outputs can be delivered with fewer inputs, one way of realising increased value for money.
Process
A set and sequence of specified steps, mechanisms and actions for achieving a specific result.
Routine
Any procedure, process, or pattern of action that is used repeatedly to manage and facilitate the accomplishment of specific goals or tasks.
Scenarios Plausible, coherent stories about the future aimed at making sense of uncertain issues, and clarifying strategic options for decision-makers. Scenarios provide a non-threatening environment for exploring multiple perspectives, creating a shared language and leading to understanding and trust.
Strategy
A systematic, long term plan or course of action designed to achieve specific outcomes, and to deal with uncertain future circumstances which could impact on the achievement of the outcomes.
Sustainable Improvement and Innovation (SI&I)
A system model that is designed to achieve and sustain successes, improvements and innovations.
System
A group of interacting, interrelated parts which form a complex and unified whole, and that operate together for a common purpose.
Systems ThinkingFrames issues, clarifies interdependencies and causalities between system elements and leads to the identification of important intervention points for stakeholders to enact change.
Tactics
A set and sequence of key actions and methods/mechanisms to achieve specific goals.
Team
A small number of people, committed to work together for a common goal with individual skills, roles and responsibilities.
Techniques
A set and sequence of key items to achieve specific goals.
Technology
Development and application of tools, machines, materials and processes that help to address needs and problems. A technology consists of two essential components: a ‘hardware’ aspect, consisting of the tools, materials and mechanisms that embody the technology, and a ‘software’ aspect, consisting of the information base or process in which the tool is embedded so that it can be more easily integrated and applied in a management system.
Tool
Any instrument designed for a specific purpose that makes achieving a goal more effective and/or easier. A tool is neither an input or an output. It is usually not consumed during the process. Marshall McLuhan famously said "We shape our tools. And then our tools shape us." McLuhan was referring to the fact that our social practices co-evolve with our use of new tools and the refinements we make to existing tools. It is a good warning to be careful and purposeful in our selection and use of tools.
Vision
A description of what you want to exist in the mid-term or long-term future if your goals are successfully achieved.