a return to an old thread
Jim,
Processes and sub-systems can be suboptimized to a higher or lower level than what is optimal. In order to optimize the system, some components will be suboptimized. Some examples were listed above as well as your own contribution. There are also non-biological uses of the word ‘synergy’ which can be defined as ‘working together’.
What I can’t be certain of, given your comments and through a review of Mike’s original post, is which type of suboptimization Tom is speaking about. It does appear that he is speaking about localized suboptimization that in my experience generally means maximization of a process or subsystem to the detriment of the whole. Tom may instead be warning the reader not to create localized suboptimization of this type as by maximizing an area or process will negatively impact the system optimization as a whole. Six Sigma, in my experience, attempts to create localized optima. This often times is suboptimal to the System.
My assumption, right or wrong, was that Tom’s usage of suboptimization was an endorsement to the creation of localized optima.
Regards,
Kevin
P.S. I have still not read Tom’s article. In fairness to him, the discussion here should probably center about Mike’s selection of this threads header: optimization vs. suboptimization. Oddly enough, it’s really not a competition.
Jim,
Processes and sub-systems can be suboptimized to a higher or lower level than what is optimal. In order to optimize the system, some components will be suboptimized. Some examples were listed above as well as your own contribution. There are also non-biological uses of the word ‘synergy’ which can be defined as ‘working together’.
What I can’t be certain of, given your comments and through a review of Mike’s original post, is which type of suboptimization Tom is speaking about. It does appear that he is speaking about localized suboptimization that in my experience generally means maximization of a process or subsystem to the detriment of the whole. Tom may instead be warning the reader not to create localized suboptimization of this type as by maximizing an area or process will negatively impact the system optimization as a whole. Six Sigma, in my experience, attempts to create localized optima. This often times is suboptimal to the System.
My assumption, right or wrong, was that Tom’s usage of suboptimization was an endorsement to the creation of localized optima.
Regards,
Kevin
P.S. I have still not read Tom’s article. In fairness to him, the discussion here should probably center about Mike’s selection of this threads header: optimization vs. suboptimization. Oddly enough, it’s really not a competition.