Systems of Human Performance

Systems of Human Performance

The Systems Minute

The Systems Minute: Variation in Systems

Short overview of this week's longform post.

Michael's avatar
Michael
Nov 01, 2025
∙ Paid

The original longform post can be found here:

Variation in Systems

Variation in Systems

Michael
·
October 28, 2025
Read full story

Every system produces more than its intended output. It also produces side effects, unintended results, and variation. The pattern of those outputs tells us more about the system’s true performance than any one result on its own.

The Red Bead Lesson

Deming’s Red Bead Experiment shows that outcomes are mostly c…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Michael.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Michael · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture