A typical use case

Southbeach can be employed in countless ways, much like the versatility of a spreadsheet. This page outlines just one method to utilize Southbeach models in a business or engineering project.

Back to the drawing board

Picture this: You're in a workshop, diligently crafting a fresh business process model. Forty-five minutes in, a coherent and seemingly flawless model takes shape. A collective sense of accomplishment fills the room. But then, the typically reserved individual at the back raises a concern, pointing out, "That approach won't work due to X, Y, and Z."

Sound familiar?

Instantly, the atmosphere shifts. Conversations erupt, and it becomes clear that the foundation of the model was flawed from the outset. You're faced with the task of starting from scratch. Yet, rallying the team for another round seems daunting; their initial enthusiasm has waned, and you sense their reluctance to reinvest time into reworking the model. You're at a crossroads.

How is Southbeach different?

Southbeach Notation provides an inclusive or 'contributory' approach. Any addition to the diagram enhances its logical structure without disrupting its foundation. Its foundational constructs of advantageous and disadvantageous elements, amplified or diminished impacts, empower everyone to offer their insights, innovations, and most vitally, their unique viewpoints.

The notation is adept at encapsulating both consensus and contention, eliminating the constant need for diagram revisions.

For instance, if one participant deems a component beneficial, another can provide context on its potential downsides. A subsequent participant might then suggest ways to mitigate those concerns. As this solution gets integrated, yet another individual might shed light on possible unintended consequences. Should a dispute arise, basic decomposition techniques can rectify it, negating the need for comprehensive diagram overhauls.

With each infusion of fresh insight, paths to refinement emerge. If the focus of the workshop is ideation, the idea undergoes refinement. If it centers on product redesign, areas demanding attention become evident. And if it's about designing a new system, design gaps are promptly highlighted.

One way to do it

Craft a new model, leveraging previous efforts, and then delve deep into the scenario. Utilize creativity rules to spawn insights. Attach notes and hyperlink references for supplementary evidence or context.

Compose a consultancy report, incorporating rules to extract pivotal data and connections from the model. For in-depth analysis, export the model to a spreadsheet. Integrate models into your final documents and export visuals for blog posts.

Utilize drag-and-drop dialogs, mouse functions, and shortcut keys to construct models efficiently. This streamlined approach ensures you stay in sync with workshop participants, avoiding any potential disruptions or aggravations.

• Create a model, e.g. a hypothesis
• Elaborate the model with colleagues
• Bring in the perspective of experts
• Elaborate further, creating sub-models
• Drill down into complex or contentious areas
• Perform a root cause analysis to deepend understanding
• Hold a workshop and use build sequences to illustrate your thinking
• Brainstorm how to improve the idea/systems/situation based on generated directions
• Produce a report listing the elements of the model and how they interact
• Share the model and report with others to gather feedback
• Capture the feedback as model changes and ideas
• Create a plan of action
• Show the 'to be' design next to the 'as is' situation
• Perform an impact analysis and refine by mitigating risks
• Create the final report with your internal/external client
• Execute the action plan

Southbeach helps with

• Understanding an idea, design or situation
• Gaining clarity on root causes
• Finding a way through contradictory requirements / needs
• Agreeing the tensions, goals, enablers, barriers and constraints
• Seeing the possibilities for improvement
• Finding those things that could go wrong
• Defining solutions to problems and explaining how they can be applied
• Understanding the views of stakeholders
• Aligning the perspectives of team members

Scenarios for using Southbeach include

• Personal analysis
• Face to face consulting
• Counselling, mentoring
• Facilitated group workshop
• Best practices dissemination