An Inch Wide and a Mile Deep

Presented by:

Mike HendersonBusiness Performance Consultant

mrhenderson1105@gmail.com

2

There is great need to recognize that high activity is not necessarily a sign of productive and effective work. It may

be a sign of strategically significant waste.

An Inch Wide and a Mile Deep as a Strategic Principle:

Improvement Actions: “Mile Wide and an Inch Deep”

Problem A

Why?

Solution

Problem B

Why?

Solution

Problem C

Why?

Solution

Problem D

Why?

Solution

Problem E

Why?

Solution

Breadth of Action (Applied Resources)

Span of Influence

A High Activity, High Cost, Relative Low Yield Strategy3

Improvement Actions:“Inch Wide and a Mile Deep”

Problem A Problem B Problem C

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Root Cause Solution

Problem D Problem E

Span of Influence

A Relative Low Activity, Low Cost, High Yield Strategy4

Breadth of Action (Applied Resources)

For any effect there is a root cause. A root cause has many effects. Find and address the root cause

rather than fix the many effects, as there is no end to the latter.

Quote adapted from Celestine Chua5