B2–C1 · SYS · XTHSYS003

Optimising [X] locally can make [Y] worse overall

A reusable frame from “Systems thinking”. Trace second-order effects, bottlenecks, local optimisation, and the drivers that keep a problem recurring.

EN · EnglishOptimising [X] locally can make [Y] worse overall.
DE · GermanWenn wir [X] lokal optimieren, kann sich [Y] insgesamt verschlechtern.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Локальная оптимизация загрузки каждой команды может ухудшить общее время прохождения процесса.

    EN · English

     Optimising each team's utilisation locally  can  make end-to-end  lead time worse overall.

    DE · German

    Wenn  wir  die Auslastung jedes Teams lokal  optimieren,  kann  sich  die gesamte Durchlaufzeit  verschlechtern.

  2. RU · Translation

    Локальная оптимизация точности модели может сделать весь продукт медленнее и дороже.

    EN · English

     Optimising model accuracy locally  can  make  the full product slower and more expensive overall.

    DE · German

    Wenn  wir  die Modellgenauigkeit lokal  optimieren,  kann  das gesamte Produkt langsamer und teurer  werden.

Reasoning move · Trace consequences

Trace consequences

What it does

Contrast local improvement with whole-system performance.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

Related reasoning patterns4

Nearby structures let you perform the same reasoning move in a different form.

  1. The immediate effect may be [X], while the second-order effect could be [Y].Trace consequences · same reasoning move · same study set
  2. This removes the bottleneck at [X], but may move it to [Y].Trace consequences · same reasoning move · same study set
  3. This treats the symptom [X] without changing the underlying driver [Y].Trace consequences · same reasoning move · same study set
  4. The system will keep producing [X] as long as [Y] remains unchanged.Trace consequences · same reasoning move · same study set

Continue learning

Choose the next useful route.