THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rodwelch@pacbell.net


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: April 19, 1999 10:56 AM Monday; Rod Welch

Called Dave about Common Administration of projects.

1...Summary/Objective
2...Judicious Review Practices Avoid Getting Off Subject
3...Reading, Writing Expedited by SDS Opening Links Based on Context
4...Clear Concise Complete Communication Requires Judicious Review
5...Context Makes Complete Communication Powerful Asset for Management
6...10% Links Needed Today, Different Context Needs Other Links Tomorrow
7...Rules for Judicious Review, Links need Not be Followed Forever
8...Common Administration Can be Effective for Contracting Parties
9...Parties May Object to Communication Manager Deciding Disputes
10...Dutra Endorsement May Help People See Benefits of Intelligence


..............
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CONTACTS 
0201 - Thelen, Reid & Priest LLP                                                                                                                                      O-00000043 0201
020101 - Mr. David Buoncristiani, Esq.                                                                                                                                    O-00000043 0201

SUBJECTS
Navy Sewer Line, RR Slope Stability
Common Administration
Meetings Require Shared Meaning and Follow Up
Clear Concise Complete Notes Linked to
Links Overwhelming
Judicious Review Guide to Avoid being
Connect Summary to Details
Communication Clear, Concise, Complete
SDS Features Security, Privacy
1% Links Open for Current Circumstances On Another Occassion A Differ
Clear Concise Complete Communication
Links Overwhelmed Lose Track of Subject 10% Need Current Context Judi
Links Open Only 10% of Links that Impact Current Context and Save Oth
Buoncrstiani, Dave Judicious Review Only Open 10% Links Impact Curren
Customers Use Traditional Information Meetings Calls Documents Interi
Judicial Review Open Links Like Footnotes to Biblography to Get More

4218 -
4218 -    ..
4219 - Summary/Objective
4220 -
422001 - Follow up ref SDS 47 0000, ref SDS 44 0000.
422002 -
422003 - Dave cites burden of reading all of the links.  We developed some
422004 - general rules to save time.  Dave indicated Common Administration can
422005 - be effective on contracts.  He is cautious about having the person who
422006 - prepares the record, also decide disputes at the project level. He
422007 - will ask Dutra if SDS helped them make money on the Navy Sewer Line
422008 - work for the Oakland Harbor project.
422009 -
422010 -    [On 990421 sent letter asking Dave to endorse Com Metrics, and
422011 -    offering to install it for free. ref SDS 48 0001
422012 -
422013 -
422014 -
422016 -  ..
4221 -
4222 -
4223 - Discussion
4224 -
422401 - Judicious Review Practices Avoid Getting Off Subject
422402 - Reading, Writing Expedited by SDS Opening Links Based on Context
422403 - Clear Concise Complete Communication Requires Judicious Review
422404 -
422405 - Dave got my letter, ref DIP 3 0001 re-sent on 990413, ref SDS 47 9759,
422406 - and linked to work on 990328 for "Common Administration" ref SDS 43
422407 - 9641
422409 -  ..
422410 - Dave explained having read a lot of the links in the letter.  He feels
422411 - our goal for...
422412 -
422413 -
422414 -               "clear, concise, complete communications"
422415 -
422416 -
422417 - ...that enable traceability to original sources, required by industry
422418 - standards, reported on 950721, ref SDS 8 1740, to strengthen accuracy
422419 - and creativity with links that reveal correlations, correlations and
422420 - nuance for understanding causation is hard to accomplish because the
422421 - ease of opening links leads people to open everything, and this takes
422422 - forever, because the record is endless, and leads the mind away from
422423 - objectives, per analysis on 990211, ref SDS 34 7329, and on 980712.
422424 - ref SDS 27 6804
422426 -        ..
422427 -       [On 000307 Knowledge Management is an expression for cognitive
422428 -       overhead that takes a lot of hard work investing time to capture
422429 -       the record and organize information for understanding
422430 -       correlations, implications, and nuance -- connecting the dots,
422431 -       and for finding critical details when needed. ref SDS 63 5182
422433 -        ..
422434 -       [On 010420 Jeff Conklin's work on organizational memory,
422435 -       ref SDS 68 MU7O, explains "cognitive overhead" requires time to
422436 -       create links and to decide when to open links, similar judicial
422437 -       review practices for clear, concise, complete communication.
422438 -       ref SDS 68 SU6K
422440 -        ..
422441 -       [On 020504 writing guidance for Federal Acquisition Regulations
422442 -       support SDS requirements for clear, concise, complete
422443 -       communication. ref SDS 70 HU4S
422445 -        ..
422446 -       [On 030609 asset of linking is not a liability, requirement, nor
422447 -       a duty to open links.  The opportunity to drive a car does not
422448 -       impede those who like exercise and have plenty of time from
422449 -       walking to the store.  So, too, a car that permits driving 60,
422450 -       70, 80, 90, MPH does not force people to drive at full speed;
422451 -       but, rather permits exercising judgement to drive according to
422452 -       conditions.  Openning SDS links, similarly requires "judicious
422453 -       review" to decide on openning links based on conditions.
422454 -       ref SDS 72 8C52
422456 -        ..
422457 -       [On 050517 PhD student requests support for doctorial paper on
422458 -       cognitive overhead; review cost savings based on theory of
422459 -       rework. ref SDS 73 NG5J
422461 -  ..
422462 - On 970524 Cal Tech case study showed linking communications over 10
422463 - years provided root cause analysis showing lack of alignment on minor,
422464 - innocuous matters caused Columbia Space Shuttle to crash. ref SDS 19
422465 - 7298
422466 -
422467 -       [On 010420 cognitive overhead explains problem of pausing to
422468 -       decide on opening links. ref SDS 68 SU6K
422470 -  ..
422471 - On 980824 Max Wideman forecast resistance to web mail. ref SDS 29 5977
422472 - Earlier this year on 990211 manager at USACE was "overwhelmed" by
422473 - "intelligence" on the Internet. ref SDS 34 3780  Analysis indicates
422474 - people prefer ignorance to avoid responsibility for managing
422475 - complexity of daily life. see again on 980824, ref SDS 29 3465
422476 -
422477 -       [On 991014 example of avoiding responsibility for knowledge of
422478 -       connections that require investigation. ref SDS 59 3066]
422480 -        ..
422481 -       [On 000811 another example of strong objection to links.
422482 -       ref SDS 66 0001
422484 -  ..
422485 - SDS links are a new resource requiring "judicious review" to handle a
422486 - larger scale of connections than people commonly recognize.
422487 -
422488 -       [On 990426 Morris commented. ref SDS 52 0488]
422489 -
422490 -       [On 990602 Bill Benkavitch indicates links are easy to follow.
422491 -       ref SDS 53 5041]
422493 -        ..
422494 -       [On 990712 executive objects to web mail. ref SDS 55 5837]
422496 -        ..
422497 -       [On 991222 Doug Engelbart's paper reviews the issue of "scale."
422498 -       ref SDS 60 1596]
422500 -        ..
422501 -       [On 991227 medical executive wants concise to the point
422502 -       communication. ref SDS 61 9844]
422504 -        ..
422505 -       [On 000208 letter explains people may get used to using
422506 -       knowledge rather than information. ref SDS 62 2940
422508 -        ..
422509 -       [On 000405 Colloquium at Stanford considers "inline" technology
422510 -       can solve problem of too many links. ref SDS 64 4823
422512 -        ..
422513 -       [On 000601 Paul Fernhout cites problem, cites possible cause of
422514 -       confusion is using multiple windows instead of a single window;
422515 -       also suggests inline links. ref SDS 65 0308
422517 -        ..
422518 -       [On 010302 letter explains how to apply Jucidious Review to
422519 -       avoid problem that occurs in conversation of wandering off
422520 -       subject. ref SDS 67 TV5F
422522 -        ..
422523 -       [On 050517 PhD student requests support for doctorial paper on
422524 -       cognitive overhead; review cost savings based on theory of
422525 -       rework. ref SDS 73 NG5J
422527 -  ..
422528 - The human mind filters millions of links it has in the subconscious,
422529 - in order to avoid overwhelming the conscious span of attention, as
422530 - explained in POIMS. ref OF 1 3943  But, filtering conceals links that
422531 - show causation and expedite research.  How then can visibility and
422532 - opportunity be balanced so people are not overwhelmed, similar to the
422533 - dilemma on subject identification from work on 960322? ref SDS 9 7749
422534 - SDS should help the reader by providing a lot of "firepower," as it
422535 - does for the writer. explained on 950204, ref SDS 6 4995
422536 -
422537 -      [On 990422 submitted to Dave Vannier at Intel. ref SDS 50 0002]
422539 -       ..
422540 -      [On 011010 day-to-day less than 10% of the links are needed; the
422541 -      mind opens links relevant to current context; on another day a
422542 -      different context needs different links. ref SDS 69 HM4F
422544 -  ..
422545 - "Judicious review" may help reading and writing.
422547 -  ..
422548 - Dave noted that Judicious Review is hard to explain because no one has
422549 - encountered it.  On 960612 we reviewed the traditional recommendation
422550 - by lawyers to provide clear, concise communication, and considered
422551 - improving this practice by making communication "complete" so that
422552 - relevant information is not overlooked. ref SDS 11 2963
422553 -
422554 -     [On 010420 Jeff Conklin's work on organizational memory,
422555 -     ref SDS 68 MU7O, explains cognitive overhead reflects the problem
422556 -     of time required to create links and to decide when to open a
422557 -     links, which is similar to the challenge of using judicial review
422558 -     practices for clear, concise, complete communication. ref SDS 68
422559 -     SU6K
422560 -
422561 -
422563 -  ..
422564 - Context Makes Complete Communication Powerful Asset for Management
422565 - 10% Links Needed Today, Different Context Needs Other Links Tomorrow
422566 -
422567 - Complete communication is comprehensive to enable dilegence in
422568 - understanding correlations, implications and nuance that save time and
422569 - money.  Not all links are needed at once.  Context controls which
422570 - links to open.  On any given day, only 1% or so of links need to be
422571 - opened, but at another time context calls for deeper understanding by
422572 - opening different links.  SDS makes it fast and easy to create a
422573 - continuing, expanding asset of intelligence that can be used as
422574 - needed, but does not require following every link on every occassion.
422576 -  ..
422577 - If material appears overwhelming, call the analyst for clarification
422578 - to expedite review.
422580 -  ..
422581 - SDS provides a lot of "firepower" to improve reading and writing by
422582 - improving memory, as reported on 950204. ref SDS 6 4995
422584 -  ..
422585 - For examle, on 960721 an executive wanted access to links in order to
422586 - understand context. ref SDS 13 3230
422587 -
422588 -       [On 990712 save exec complains about too much context.
422589 -       ref SDS 55 5837
422590 -
422591 -       [On 010420 cognitive overhead explains problem of pausing to
422592 -       decide on opening links. ref SDS 68 SU6K
422594 -  ..
422595 - The SDS record improves human memory for using a continuous stream of
422596 - experience through a flexible structure of organizational memory
422597 - managed by the power of "Knowledge Space." ref OF 2 4212  Ten minutes
422598 - ago, yesterday, last week, last month, last year, 5 to 10 years ago, a
422599 - book, movie, brief, letter, call, are all applied with equal ease
422600 - based on unique location in Knowledge Space, under Communication
422601 - Metrics, as defined on 990413. ref SDS 46 2635  The human mind varies
422602 - in the links it finds, based on near-term emotional influences.  The
422603 - mind forgets, overlooks and commingles links and chronology of cause
422604 - and effect. SDS solves these problems by providing a more complete,
422605 - comprehensive understanding. It does not forget, overlook nor
422606 - commingle.
422608 -  ..
422609 - Links provide "intelligence" that connects summary to detail, opening
422610 - a body of information on support, causation, consequence, sequence and
422611 - context in Knowledge Space. see POIMS. ref OF 1 0582
422612 -
422613 -     On 980804 developed advantages of webmail. ref SDS 29 6384
422615 -  ..
422616 - Today, we worked through various ways to make the power of access
422617 - enabled by links more useful, which supplements work on 980824,
422618 - ref SDS 29 6384, by explaining correlation with common practices for
422619 - looking up citations in a legal brief, checking footnotes and tracking
422620 - references to a biblography in conventional documents.
422622 -  ..
422623 - Rules for Judicious Review, Links need Not be Followed Forever
422624 -
422625 -           [On 990426 expanded and clarified guidelines based on ideas
422626 -           from Morris. ref SDS 52 HY3L
422627 -
422628 -           [On 000208 people get used to using knowledge rather than
422629 -           information. ref SDS 62 2940]
422631 -            ..
422632 -           [On 010302 Jucidious Review avoids problems in conversation
422633 -           of wandering off subject. ref SDS 67 TV5F
422635 -          ..
422636 -     1.  Read the entire primary communication for objectives; this is
422637 -         only a paragraph or two under the practice to be clear and
422638 -         concise.  It sets priority for opening links based on need for
422639 -         background, context and verification, similar to common
422640 -         practice following footnotes and references in a biblography.
422641 -
422642 -               [On 990426 Morris asked about priority. ref SDS 52 0558]
422644 -                ..
422645 -               [On 020923 Morris supports using links like following
422646 -               footnotes and bibligraphy. ref SDS 71 XL4F
422648 -              ..
422649 -             If you concur and take requested action, don't read any
422650 -             further, because the rest of the record supports the main
422651 -             objective, and merely provides "understanding," i.e.,
422652 -             support.
422654 -              ..
422655 -             This takes 1 minute.
422657 -              ..
422658 -             Feedback: notify the author of action taken.
422660 -              ..
422661 -             Task is over.
422663 -              ..
422664 -             There are usually 3 - 5 links in a letter.  They can take
422665 -             from 5 minutes - 500 years to read.
422667 -          ..
422668 -     2.  Links to the top of an SDS record show a "Summary."
422669 -         ref SDS 0.
422671 -          ..
422672 -     3.  Headings show the reasoning in the record, like a legal brief.
422673 -
422674 -             If you concur with the requested action, click back.
422675 -             Don't read further.  This takes 1 - 2 minutes.
422677 -          ..
422678 -     4.  Click on the Summary/Objective for a narrative explanation of
422679 -         the entire record, and to see if any follow up occurred.  Click
422680 -         on a heading in the Summary to read it; or, read the entire
422681 -         record.
422682 -
422683 -             This takes 1 minute for most records.
422685 -          ..
422686 -     5.  Links to a heading require reading a few sentences, or at
422687 -         most, two paragraphs, then return to the prior level.
422688 -
422689 -         a.  This takes 1 - 2 minutes.
422691 -              ..
422692 -         b.  For 5 links this takes 10 minutes.  Each para may
422693 -             have 3 to 5 links, so the burden escalates.  Normally go
422694 -             only 1 or 2 more levels before returning to the main
422695 -             level.
422697 -              ..
422698 -         c.  Feedback, notify the author of questions,
422699 -             understandings on facts, reasoning and conclusions.
422701 -              ..
422702 -         d.  Total time for this level of effort depends on
422703 -             importance of the issue.  Like conversation, some people
422704 -             will want to end it, others may wish to continue; or,
422705 -             stop, bookmark the location and return later to do more
422706 -             research.  Unlike discussion, it is easy to continue a
422707 -             train of thought because all of the "intelligence" is
422708 -             readily available.
422710 -                ..
422711 -               [On 990426 discussed "important", ref SDS 52 2820]
422713 -  ..
422714 - Summary connected to detail enables people to be productive spending 1
422715 - minute or several hours, at their discretion.  They can return again
422716 - and again over days, weeks and years, using the same information in
422717 - different ways.  "Intelligence" does not wear out - it grows in value.
422718 - ref OF 1 6649
422719 -
422720 -      [On 990426 expanded and clarified these guidelines based on ideas
422721 -      from Morris. ref SDS 52 0488]
422723 -       ..
422724 -      [On 010420 cognitive overhead explains problem of pausing to
422725 -      decide on opening links. ref SDS 68 SU6K
422727 -       ..
422728 -      [On 020504 writing guidance for Federal Acquisition Regulations
422729 -      support requirements for clear, concise, complete communication
422730 -      using summary connected to details. ref SDS 70 HU4S
422732 -  ..
422733 - We analogized to legal opinions that have a lot of citations. On any
422734 - given day some citations will be checked, but not all of them.  On
422735 - another day different citations may be investigated, depending upon
422736 - circumstances.
422738 -  ..
422739 - SDS records provide a way to do the same thing faster and on a broader
422740 - range of subjects, so that more can be done in less time. But, like
422741 - the law, discretion is needed in following links in the record.
422742 -
422744 -  ..
422745 - Common Administration Can be Effective for Contracting Parties
422746 - Parties May Object to Communication Manager Deciding Disputes
422747 -
422748 - Dave has reviewed analysis on 990331. ref SDS 44 8112  He feels
422749 - Communication Metrics can provide useful support for a project under a
422750 - program of Common Administration, per reasoning at ref SDS 44 0294.
422751 -
422752 - While we talked he reviewed the explanation on 980328. ref SDS 43 9641
422753 -
422754 -     [On 990421 ask Dave to endorse Com Metrics. ref SDS 48 0001]
422756 -      ..
422757 -     [On 990610 notified Mike Timpane about this discussion. ref SDS 54
422758 -     1365]
422760 -      ..
422761 -     [On 990827 proposed using Com Metrics at TRP. ref SDS 58 0001]
422763 -  ..
422764 - He is wary of having the Communication Manager or Common Administrator
422765 - decide claims.
422767 -  ..
422768 - Dave cited as a problem that a Common Administrator will be biased or
422769 - "sold" by having prepared the record, and so is not open to other
422770 - views and interpretations.
422772 -  ..
422773 - Advocates and parties would not like this condition.
422775 -  ..
422776 - They want a blank slate.
422778 -  ..
422779 - We considered that in a court trial, the judge generally takes notes,
422780 - in addition to reliance on the court reporter.  So this process of
422781 - taking notes influences the judge, and counsel begins to understand
422782 - the judge's feeling based on questions that are asked. This enables
422783 - adjusting the presentation of evidence. Once the judge issues a
422784 - preliminary order, the lawyers have to work with the judge to guide
422785 - filing of a final order,
422787 -  ..
422788 - Common Administration would have similar dynamics.
422790 -  ..
422791 - The benefit would be that decisions under Common Administration would
422792 - be subject to an adequate record, which could support judicial review
422793 - of the law in court.
422794 -
422795 -      Example of hearing notes on 980401. ref SDS 24
422796 -
422797 -      Another example of hearing on 901204. ref SDS 3 8765
422799 -       ..
422800 -      Using the record to support rulings on 980521. ref SDS 26
422802 -  ..
422803 - My feeling is that this capability can help clients, lawyers and
422804 - judges.
422805 -
422807 -  ..
422808 - Dutra Endorsement May Help People See Benefits of Intelligence
422809 -
422810 - Dave is meeting with Dutra in a few weeks about a pending arbitration.
422811 -
422812 - He will try to work into the discussion the question for Bob Johnston
422813 - on whether the SDS record was helpful, per my letter, ref DIP 3 5175
422814 - citing the record on 970107. ref SDS 17 4953
422816 -  ..
422817 - In sum, did SDS help them do the Navy Sewer Line work for less money?
422818 -
422819 -     [On 990422 Resident Engineer for USACE said this initiative was
422820 -     successful. ref SDS 49 8582]
422821 -
422822 -     [On 990713 followed up. ref SDS 56 0001]
422824 -      ..
422825 -     [On 990820 Dave advised Bob did not recall any contribution of
422826 -     Communication Metrics on this matter. ref SDS 57 5005]
422827 - ..
422828 - Dave asked why this is needed from Dutra, since we have an
422829 - endorsement from USACE?
422831 -  ..
422832 - We reviewed the reasoning on 990331. ref SDS 44 0294.
422834 -  ..
422835 - Communication Metrics is a powerful weapon or tool to support a client
422836 - in the role of advocacy.  That is the way it is generally perceived.
422838 -  ..
422839 - Benefits using Communication Metrics cited by an adversary or "target"
422840 - gives Common Administration greater credibility, based on review at
422841 - 990331. ref SDS 44 3408  If a contractor says that the record prepared
422842 - by an opposing party was accurate and helpful, this would suggest that
422843 - in a neutral setting, the record would likely be fair, accurate and
422844 - helpful.
422846 -  ..
422847 - Of course, ultimately only luck enables the market to stumble onto a
422848 - new benefit.  We are trying to give luck a boost.
422849 -
422850 -
422851 -
4229 -
Distribution. . . . See "CONTACTS"