Monday, April 14, 2014

The Acts 27 test, 11: A thought on the importance of sound, timely policy and wise, prompt action . . .

Just thought it important to underscore this as we are apt to confuse the persuasiveness of rhetoric for the soundness of what one does as a result of being persuaded:
Policy must be sound, and it must be competently carried out in good time.
Sounds sooo simple, so commonsensical, even, so obvious . . .

Sadly, not so.

Often, the sound cuts across our every inclination, demands studious investigation, thought and careful reasoning and consultation; and, requires a setting aside of interests, desires and feelings we will find ever so hard to do. Then, not satisfied with so much effort, it calls for energy, competence, diligence and promptness in action.

As in: no more wonderful (and duly expensive) studies sitting on shelves or in filing cabinets, unread and unheeded.


{Let me add, May 16, 2016, a particularly suggestive illustrative form of the John Boyd OODA Loop, which brings out major phases and the feedback loops that make the phases essentially simultaneous and dominated by how well one can "read" the situation based on what one brings to the table . . .




. . . then also, a modified form of the seven mountains, commanding heights of community analysis championed in recent years by Lance Wallnau et al:


. . . as well as a view of the window of opportunity for change:






. . . with the 3-4-5 factors that shape governance and policy analysis:




. . . a picture of how a practical programme of action can be organised to carry forward clusters of projects across time towards its goals and strategic vision:




. . . bringing to bear sustainability factors:



. . . as well as a picture of the driving forces that move that window back and forth (where, proverbially, "politics is the art of the possible"):}





And so we are back to a familiar challenge: if not now, then when? If not here, then where? If not us, then who? END


PS: A test -- if you are speaking to or influencing decisions on (or even voting regarding)  matters economical, have you mastered the sort of issues that are pointed out here or the like? If not, do you find it a dreary burden to think about taking the sustained effort of reading, viewing and reflecting then drawing conclusions that make sound good sense this would require? What is such telling you?