Thursday, February 15, 2007

Systematic solutions

When something goes wrong, I begin thinking of how it could have been avoided systematically. What, in your experience, needs systematic avoidance?
1. Complete and secure separation of airline pilots from passengers, as recommended by Israeli consultants - would have prevented 9/11.
2. An alarm in small-child school buses to alert anyone inside and outside the bus if not turned off at the inside-rear by the ignition key within two minutes of turning off the motor - would have prevented numerous heat-exhaustion deaths of children.
3. Stinky paint balls for riot control - would have prevented the second Intifada, etc.
4. Sticky Lo-Jack, a radio-transmitting projectile with mushy/sticky nose to mark a fleeing car so it can be followed at a great distance - would prevent most hot-pursuit accidents.
5. Universal labeling of ammunition projectiles and casings per box thereof (two-dimensional binary code) registered to buyer or assignee - would allow quick forensic back-tracking of such objects at crime scenes and battle sites, and would allow monitoring of inappropriate actions by our client Iraqi police/military personnel.
6. Quick-deploying parachutes and under-carriage air bags for helicopters - would prevent many crash-related casualties.
7. GPS transmitters or transponders in equipment of soldiers', contractors and indigenous police (shoe, gun, vehicle) - would help respond to emergencies and track perpetrators.
9. Binocular video GPS tracker of distant light/heat events - would allow instant and precise retaliation to missile or artillery attacks rather than delayed, scattered and excessive response.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Beginning with "what is the problem we are trying to solve" is the only way to avoid system design and execution without
scope creep. Great thought provokers.