Is the new system simple, sticky, and self-regulating?

When embarking on a new process at work or in personal development, ensuring simplicity, stickiness, and self-regulation is key to success. These three factors serve as a litmus test for the strength of a system and can highlight potential issues early on.

Simple

A system should not be unnecessarily complicated. While life itself is complex, a system should aim to simplify tasks to enhance its chances of success. Starting with a basic structure allows for gradual development and addition of detail over time.

Sticky

A system's stickiness refers to its ability to be followed consistently. While authority can sometimes enforce adherence, a better approach is to create processes that are naturally followed. Self-enforcing processes require less monitoring and discipline, making them more sustainable.

James Clear is an expert on building habits. In his book, Atomic Habits, he stresses the importance of building habits that stick. Much of his book explains how to make habits drive your behavior and use the automatic nature of them to find success. Check out Atomic Habits for some great insight into this area.

Self-Regulating

A system should be able to continue without constant external involvement. It should not have a fixed endpoint but rather be able to adapt and evolve over time. A self-regulating system maintains itself and keeps going without requiring continuous active participation.

An example of a strong system: Smoking

Smoking serves as an example of a strong but harmful system. It is simple to start, sticky once addicted, and self-regulating as the habit perpetuates itself without a clear endpoint. It is strong because it has power over those who remain in the smoking system. They end up perpetuating the system, which only grows its power over time.

Driver Log Example

An example from a workplace illustrates the importance of fixing systemic issues. We uncovered that our driver log had a flaw where new stops added at the end of a route were not properly accounted for in the printing process. Despite repeated reminders, the logistics coordinator continued to make the same mistake. Recognizing this as a systemic issue, the form was redesigned to clearly indicate the end of the driver's log, preventing further errors.

This change was simple. Using the new form meant that you wouldn’t recreate the error but it didn’t require any additional effort.

It was sticky because we always use the same templates. It was normal to use this version and would require great effort to find the incorrect one to use and then use that one.

It was self-regulating because even when we made changes to the form, the structure remained the same.

This problem to most involved was thought of as a person issue. They argued that the coordinator should have caught the error and fixed it each time. But a better approach is to adjust the system so it never happens again.

Evaluating a System

Applying the three criteria to the any system, decide if the system is simple, sticky, and self-regulating. This will help to determine if the system will endure. If it is a weak system, it likely will not last. But a strong system perpetuates.

Systematic Improvement

Adopting a systematic approach to life can lead to more effective problem-solving and long-term solutions. By designing and evaluating systems based on simplicity, stickiness, and self-regulation, one can create strong systems that endure and continue to work effectively.