"Seeing" the Same LO3324

Michel, Christopher J. (michec@uh2297p01.daytonoh.attgis.com)
Fri Oct 20 11:36 EDT 1995

My daily activities often includes working with, explaining, and/or
presenting DATA MODELS used to model corporate databases. I have recently
assigned a slogan to our data management organization. It is "where ART
(the models) meets SCIENCE." (the rigor required for successful database
implementation) The models are an abstract example of business information
rules and requirements. They explain how different information components
relate to one another. It is extremely difficult to get all in attendance
to "SEE" the same model. I am not referring to "see" as with the eyes,
but instead see with "the mind's eye." The same problem exists trying to
explain the Mental Models of organizations.

I have also experienced this difficulty (seeing the same abstraction)
involving people of a different nationality. I have had the pleasure of
working with two French Nationals. Their English (which I have noticed is
true also in this forum) is at least as good as if not better than mine.
But when we were embarking on a journey with information modeling into new
areas, I observed that the Frenchman could not (for lack of a better word)
translate the models. Many heated debates resulted. The debates were
only solved when the Frenchman were allowed to discuss the model in French
- (which is where their "natural" abstraction occurred) and they able to
"SEE" the models in the same way intended as the 3 American teams
members.

This phenomenon/problem of understanding the same abstraction as
presented, is part of our challenge as practitioners of systems thinking.
I am interested in other experiences and success stories in overcoming
this obstacle. 

--
Chris Michel
chris.michel@daytonoh.attgis.com