CONTACTS 
0201 - San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFIA)                                                                                                                                 O-00000586 0301
020101 - Bureau of Design and Construction                                                                                                                                O-00000586 0301
020102 - Mr. Jason Yuen; 650 737 7700                                                                                                                                     O-00000586 0301

SUBJECTS
Developing Leads, Design Firms
Design Professionals
Kwan Henmi, SFIA Projects
Communication Metrics
Plastic Cube Project
Information Highway Overload New Environment Needs Communication Mana
Bumbling Information Overload Highway Compounds Impact of Mistakes Re
Disallusioned by Technology Failed Promise of Automated Management
Diallusioned by Management Consultants Claim to Accomplish Com Metric
Management Consultants Claim to Improve Projects, Jason Yuen at SFIA

1512 -
1512 -    ..
1513 - Summary/Objective
1514 -
151401 - Follow up ref SDS 20 0000, ref SDS 14 0000.
151402 -
151403 - Jason seems to appreciates the "problem" Communication Metrics solves,
151404 - ref SDS 0 1862, although he initially indicated he did not. ref SDS 0
151405 - 3996  He offered suggestions about the web site.  Jason will review
151406 - information on Communication Metrics for a week in connection with a
151407 - possible meeting on implementation to support SFIA.
151409 -  ..
151410 - Submitted ref DIT 1 with link to this record on our understandings.
151411 -
151413 -  ..
1515 -
1516 -
1517 - Progress
1518 -
151801 - Called and left message for Jason on my letter, ref DIP 1, about
151802 - providing support for SFIA projects.
151804 -  ..
1519 -
1520 -
1521 - 1818 Jason called back
152201 -  ..
152202 - Com Metrics Solves Problem of Mistakes Due to Information Overload
152203 -
152204 - Jason received our letter, ref DIP 1, sent on 990302 following our
152205 - telecon. ref SDS 20 1638
152206 -
152207 - He explained having opened the web site, and from there found the
152208 - scope of services. ref DRP 3 4929   He feels it does not explain
152209 - Communication Metrics very well.
152211 -  ..
152212 - I explained that the letter and the links demonstrate a powerful new
152213 - capability to deliver useful "intelligence" for improving management.
152215 -  ..
152216 - Jason expressed initial disappointed about encountering specifications
152217 - prepared by another agency.  He did not want to wade through a lot of
152218 - verbage to find a simple explanation for Communication Metrics.
152220 -  ..
152221 - There are simple explanations on the web site...
152222 -
152223 -                 http://www.welchco.com/00401.HTM#9448
152225 -  ..
152226 - Jason seemed to indicate that he saw this web page.
152228 -  ..
152229 - See as well POIMS. ref OF 1 0561
152231 -  ..
152232 - Communication Metrics, however, is complex because it supports human
152233 - cognition and the field of "management" which are complex subjects.
152235 -  ..
152236 - Therefore, simple explanations of complex subjects sound like mere
152237 - rhetoric and empty homilies until experience is acquired with the
152238 - methodology to judge the validty of a bunch of words (see analysis on
152239 - 900303 about the distinction between "information" and "knowledge."
152240 - ref SDS 1 7739)
152242 -  ..
152243 - The web site provides a prototype specification to show how a new work
152244 - practice can be implemented.  It lists deliverables, ref DRP 3 7402,
152245 - which are explained in "Requirements." ref DRP 3 6375  These points of
152246 - interest can be accessed instantly by clicking on the links in the
152247 - spec, so that Jason does not have wade through a lot of extraneous
152248 - verbage.
152250 -  ..
152251 - Jason seemed to indicate he was successful in finding what he wanted
152252 - in the prototype specification, by clicking on the links, as intended
152253 - by the system.
152255 -  ..
152256 - Jason asked what is the result, if SFIA uses Communication Metrics?
152257 - He noted this is not clear from the web site, nor from the scope of
152258 - services.
152260 -  ..
152261 - I explained having contacted SFIA because it is a particularly complex
152262 - business environment, as evidenced by past difficulties related in the
152263 - record on 990302. ref SDS 20 2556  Communication Metrics is a powerful
152264 - new method to improve management by adding an "intelligence" support
152265 - role that adds alignment of daily communications with work objectives
152266 - and requirements.
152268 -  ..
152269 - Of course all management consultants claim to get things done on time
152270 - and within budget, so it is necessary to look at how it is proposed to
152271 - accomplish this happy outcome, and whether there is sufficient grounds
152272 - to believe it can really be achieved by Com Metrics, where others
152273 - fail?
152274 -
152276 -  ..
152277 - Scenario Application Demonstrates Need for "Alignment"
152278 - Information Overload is a Major Problem in Project Management
152279 -
152280 - Jason asked how adding "metrics" to communication improves management,
152281 - as set out in the record on 990302? ref SDS 20 6344
152282 -
152283 - He asked what fundamental "problem" does it solve that can help SFIA?
152285 -  ..
152286 - We did not discuss background of the "problem" which Jason noted on
152287 - 990302, ref SDS 20 2556, including telecon on 970620. ref SDS 8 8945
152289 -  ..
152290 - I explained the need to maintain alignment between communications and
152291 - actions over weeks, months and years.  Conventional management drifts
152292 - off course causing delays and extra cost due to information overload.
152293 - [We did not discuss the scientific paper reviewed on 990303, that
152294 - explains why information is a "problem" for people. ref SDS 21 0920]
152296 -  ..
152297 - Jason said he does not understand "alignment" -- needs an explanation
152298 - he can give to his boss.
152300 -  ..
152301 - Initially, I noted the meaning of "alignment" is evident from links in
152302 - my letter on 990302 that reveal cause and effect from the history of
152303 - subjects that impact action SFIA takes on Communication Metrics.  This
152304 - "alignment" is part of "intelligence" from POIMS. ref OF 1 0582
152306 -  ..
152307 - On 951026 "alignment" also called "traceability to original sources"
152308 - was reviewed. ref SDS 5 7773
152309 - ..
152310 - Jason posed an example of a project to provide a plastic cube,
152311 - 2" x 2" x 12", or some similar hypothetical, and asked for an
152312 - explanation of "alignment."  (see also example on 970726 using six
152313 - penny nails. ref SDS 10 4579; and meeting with Turner Construction on
152314 - 960125. ref SDS 7 2002)
152316 -  ..
152317 - I explained that the contractor will have to coordinate with other
152318 - SFIA contractors who are providing other project components, and with
152319 - a variety of organizations who regulate or will be impacted by aspects
152320 - of a new cube at SFIA.  After awarding the contract SFIA notifies the
152321 - contractor that the original dimensions conflict with things.  At a
152322 - meeting, it is learned that the new dimensions depend on work that has
152323 - been delayed for a lot of reasons that may or may not warrant changed
152324 - conditions.
152326 -  ..
152327 - See analysis of risk management on 951109. ref SDS 6 1360
152329 -  ..
152330 - Jason suggested that the plastic is no longer available because the
152331 - architect used an old specification.  The contractor will submit an
152332 - alternate which can accomplish the same misson but with a smaller
152333 - footprint at less cost, so on and so forth.  This proposal is needed
152334 - prior to other folks doing important things.
152336 -  ..
152337 - After the meeting, the contractor's rep leaves for Tibet to bid on a
152338 - high-altitude plastic substitute for Yak blankets.  At the airport he
152339 - calls his boss and explains changes and delay reported at the meeting.
152340 - The boss says before going to Tibet, go to Hamburg and close the deal
152341 - on acquiring exclusive rights to a new plastic.  They have a long
152342 - discussion about the "big picture" and the "bottom line."  The boss
152343 - explains the competitive advantage they have from high tech methods
152344 - and willingness to work hard using core competencies and other things
152345 - heard at the seminar last week.  The boss forgets to jot down that
152346 - Harry in Engineering needs to submit a proposal for changes in cube
152347 - design on the SFIA project.
152349 -  ..
152350 - As a result, the work is not "aligned" with commitments; others are
152351 - impacted, soon there is talk of extra cost, delay.  At trial, the rep
152352 - testifies he sent an email confirming everything to his boss.  The
152353 - boss testifies he went to a meeting after the telephone call then took
152354 - a three (3) day weekend because everything seemed to be going so well
152355 - at the time.
152356 -
152357 -     Similar example was case study on oil tanker that foundered and
152358 -     was lost at sea, reported on 940611. ref SDS 4 8239
152360 -  ..
152361 - When he got back to the office on Monday, there were 100 email, and he
152362 - did not see anything about submitting a proposal on SFIA plastic
152363 - cubes.  The rep said the subject was "Changes at the Airport."  The
152364 - boss testified he likely deleted it along with most of the other 100
152365 - messages, since he can only read 10 or so messages a day, and also
152366 - attend a bunch of meetings and make a lot of telephone calls.  The rep
152367 - testified that his former boss should have read his email, and that he
152368 - did the best he could with limited time.
152370 -  ..
152371 - See also "Operation Halley's Comet" on 970624. ref SDS 9 7006
152373 -  ..
152374 - See NWO paper scenario. ref OF 2 5827
152376 -  ..
152377 - See typical day scenario using SDS. ref OF 4 3858
152378 -
152379 -
152380 -
1524 -

SUBJECTS
Communication Difficult Everyone Has Different Experience for Alignin
Communication Main Factor Management Productivity Success 90% of Time
Communication Biggest Risk of Enterprise Paradigm Shift of Millennium

1805 -
180601 -  ..
180602 - Better Management Requires Support for Fundamental Cognitive Tasks
180603 -
180604 - Jason said he understands the "problem" we are solving.
180605 -
180606 - He feels it takes more than technology to solve it.  He feels we have
180607 - to change human nature.
180609 -  ..
180610 - I agreed.  It is an old problem that is compounded by the modern age
180611 - of Information overload.  The aspect of human nature that needs help
180612 - is explained in the New World Order... paper. ref OF 2 5653
180614 -  ..
180615 - Jason said we are really addressing a very fundamental problem of
180616 - communication that no else has been able to solve.  This aligns with
180617 - Peter Drucker's analysis reviewed on 931130, ref SDS 3 3851, that
180618 - people have given up trying to improve communication.
180619 -
180620 -    [On 990505 Jason feels "attitude" has to change before
180621 -    communication can be improved. ref SDS 22 4732
180623 -  ..
180624 - I agreed.  Each year, each day the problem gets bigger.  This makes
180625 - communication the biggest risk in enterprise, as explained in POIMS.
180626 - ref OF 1 8774  Therefore, improving communication is a big opportunity
180627 - to save time and money.
180629 -  ..
180630 - Communication Metrics offers a unique application of science,
180631 - technology and sound management practice to solve it, per my letter to
180632 - Max Wideman last Wednesday. ref DIP 6
180634 -  ..
180635 - Only a balanced solution can succeed. ref OF 2 4305
180637 -  ..
180638 - Jason wants to think about this for a week, then we may set up a
180639 - meeting.
180640 - ..
180641 - He asked for a list of stakeholders other than USACE that have
180642 - used Communication Metrics.
180643 -
180644 -      [On 990505 Jason needs approval to investigate Communication
180645 -      Metrics; requests support. ref SDS 22 8955
180646 -
180647 -      [He could not contact references. ref SDS 22 0970]
180649 -  ..
180650 - This information is in the second para of our letter, ref DIP 1 7388,
180651 - linked to "prior use," which was submitted on 990302. ref SDS 20 7739
180653 -  ..
180654 - Jason apologized for calling late this afternoon.
180656 -  ..
180657 - I explained that moving civilization forward is a 24 hour service.
180658 -
180659 -
180660 -
180661 -
180662 -
180663 -
180664 -
180665 -
180666 -
1807 -