valley crossing

VALLEY CROSSING                    

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM ?

This is a problem which we came across in our POM class. This is a problem wherein 3 people have to cross a valley and the only resource they have is a rod. The width of the valley is such that it is longer than a step a person can take but shorter than 2 steps a person can take.

So what is special in that?
It is the one of the classic examples in which the importance of organisational concepts like teamwork, coordination, planning, communication are so easily demonstrated. This example helps us internalise these vital issues in a better way.

So how did those three guys crossed the valley?

Steps:

1.      When the first person will take the first step, he will be half risky since one of his feet will be in air and other on the ground, at the same time other two people will be full safe.

2.      Everybody will take one more step at this moment, first person will be fully risky and other two will be full safe. But since other two people will be holding the rod, with proper communication and trust they can cross.

3.      This process will be repeated for other two persons. Every time they will be either half risky or full risky.

If we see the degree of risk for these 3 people we find that each  shares equal risk when we see the task in totality:

Step	State of 1st Person	State of 2nd person	State of 3rd person
1.	Safe	Safe	Safe
2.	Half-Risky	Safe	Safe
3.	Full-Risky	Safe	Safe
4.	Half-Risky	Half-Risky	Safe
5.	Safe	Full-Risky	Safe
6.	Safe	Half-Risky	Half-Risky
7.	Safe	Safe	Full-Risky
8.	Safe	Safe	Half-Risky
9.	Safe	Safe	Safe

Therefore all members are equal stake holders to this activity, both in terms of activity as well as risks.

Therefore all members are equal stake holders to this activity, both in terms of activity as well as risks.

Ok, so what were the learning points :


Teamwork :

Just as the valley could not have been crossed individually, but rather as a team, in the same way in any organization optimal efficiency cannot be achieved in isolation. Every member of the team has to work together. What better example to give than that of the Indian army , who have won many a battle as a team, in the army the importance of team work and team spirit is stressed upon right from the joining days.

Goal setting: 

Can you imagine that the valley could have been crossed if each person had a different goal. Had person A wanted lunch, person B sleep and only person see , to cross the valley , it would have been very difficult to cross the valley, therefore it is of utmost important in any organization to define clearly, as to what the goal is and ensure that each person works in concordance with the laid objectives. Management by objectives is precisely which  is of paramount importance.


Communication :

Communication is perhaps the most important aspect to achieve anything, in this example , all three have to communicate continuously to achieve this task. In an organization it is very important for every level of management , and within those levels to communicate with each other . concepts like JIT, kanban would not have achieved their full potential without solving the communication bottlenecks.

Trust:

Trust for three people crossing the valley is very important , as at different times, a particular person becomes very vulnerable and his safety lies in the hands of the other 2 people . so is the case for any small or large, significant or mundane activity in any organization. As the success in any endevour of the of the organization hugely depends on teamwork, trust among the members is important for coordinating effectively to achieve the objectives of the organization. An example where trust is paramount is medicine , the relation between the doctor and patient is fully based on trust.



Finally;

Valley crossing provides  us with a wonderfull opportunity to learn the nuances of the critical aspects of organizational management.