Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Common Sense
Questions About Theory of Constraints (TOC)
Questions About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Other Questions

Questions About Common Sense

What kind of work does Common Sense Systems do?

Most generally, we work with people to improve the systems they most want to improve. Often, those are businesses, but they don’t need to be and our experience is not limited only to business systems.

You could imagine, for example, that we could help an elementary school principal who is feeling stuck to become unstuck by developing and realizing that she needs an unrefusable offer for her various stakeholders just as a business typically needs an unrefusable offer for its various market segments.

Bottom line, we use our decades of experience in business and in life to help people get better results.

What is your typical fee agreement?

Our fee agreements are structured to create true win-win partnerships. In our view, we should only be compensated when our work has materially improved your business or other system. While a common example might involve a percentage split of newly generated profits, the specific form of compensation is flexible and can be tailored to the unique circumstances of each engagement. This may include various forms of value exchange, such as referrals, introductions, or other mutually beneficial arrangements. The goal is to ensure that the agreement is fair, transparent, and benefits both parties. We don’t believe in hidden snares or complex contracts, so you can rest assured that there are no surprises.

What happens if your work does not improve my business?

If the business is not improved – if you do not get the promised benefits – then we are not paid. This is a risk-sharing arrangement, as we are confident that our work will generate positive, measurable results for you.

We are comfortable offering this arrangement because we invest significant time in understanding your business before implementing solutions. Through our analysis phase, we create a clear roadmap to improvement that is validated with you every step of the way.

What is the Common Sense Business Tune-Up?

The Business Tune-Up is a service designed to help companies identify and fix operational issues. It’s like a maintenance checkup for your business, helping to ensure smooth operations and identify areas for improvement.

How does the Business Tune-Up process work?

The process starts with an initial meeting, followed by a list of targeted questions specific to your business. Based on your responses, we develop a business model and refine it with you. Then, we propose specific solutions with a fixed fee, and you choose whether to use the analysis results on your own or hire us to help implement solutions.

What kind of questions will I be asked during the Business Tune-Up?

Typical questions will be specific to your industry and business and will highlight common issues. Examples might include questions such as “We struggle to win enough new business” or “Clients often seem to take forever to get us information requested from them.”

How long do your projects typically last?

Our projects usually last 6-8 weeks, with larger initiatives broken into smaller phases (Agile sprints). We guarantee results - if the promised benefits don’t materialize, we fix the issues at our expense.

What do you mean by operational excellence?

Operational excellence means your company can consistently and reliably deliver the value that has been promised to the customer. This requires a well-engineered system of processes and methods to ensure that you achieve your stated goals.

Do you only work with specific industries?

While we have extensive experience in software and medical devices, our methods are applicable to a wide range of industries. We use a systematic approach to identify the core issues holding your business back and to create targeted, effective solutions.

What is your background in software engineering?

Our founder, John Sambrook, has over 30 years of experience in software engineering, particularly in embedded systems and medical devices. This background gives us a unique perspective in applying technology to business challenges. We have a deep understanding of the entire software development life cycle and what it takes to get a high-quality product to market.

What kind of medical devices have you worked on?

We have experience in developing embedded software for life-saving medical devices, including ultrasound systems and automatic electric defibrillators. Our deep experience in regulated environments ensures we understand the nuances and complexities of producing high-quality software for critical applications.

Do you subcontract any work?

Yes, from time to time. We have a network of industry colleagues and may subcontract work from time to time. Any such subcontracting is done with the full knowledge and agreement of our clients ahead of time.

Do you offer coaching services?

Yes, we enjoy coaching and mentoring individuals and teams!

In this role, our intent is to help everyone improve their practice. We have both the technical depth and the soft skills to be effective in this capacity.

“Oh, that’s interesting…” (OTI) is our weekly newsletter that celebrates curiosity and continuous learning. Each Wednesday, we deliver a curated collection of fascinating insights covering systems thinking, process improvement, technology, small business management, and human dynamics.

You can sign up for the “Oh, that’s interesting…” newsletter by entering your email address in the subscribe form provided on our newsletter page

What happens if I contact you?

If you contact us, we’ll get back to you promptly to discuss what you’re looking for. We have a zero-sales-pressure approach. We’ll talk through your needs and if we can help, we’ll let you know. If we can’t, we’ll be upfront about that, too. No mailing lists, no persistent follow-ups unless you want them. Feel free to reach out, it’s just a conversation.

I called your phone number but no one answered.

We receive a lot of calls, and unfortunately, many of them are spam. If we miss your call, please leave a voicemail or send a text with your name and a brief message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

You can also reach out through our contact page via email or by scheduling a web meeting.

Questions About Theory of Constraints (TOC)

What is Theory of Constraints (TOC)?

Theory of Constraints (TOC), developed by Eli Goldratt, is a management philosophy that focuses on identifying and addressing the most critical constraint (bottleneck) in a system to improve overall performance. It emphasizes that focusing on a system’s constraint is much more effective than trying to optimize everything at once.

What are the TOC Thinking Processes (TP)?

The TOC Thinking Processes (TP) are a set of logical tools used to analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions. These tools include methods to identify core conflicts, uncover assumptions, and develop strategies for improvement. We use these processes to help clients understand the underlying issues that are preventing their success.

What is a “constraint” in TOC?

In TOC, a constraint is anything that limits a system from achieving its goals. This could be a physical bottleneck like a machine or resource, or it could be a policy, process, or even a mindset that limits the throughput or performance of the system.

What is a “local optimum” and why is it bad?

A “local optimum” is when a part of a system is optimized without considering the impact on the larger system. TOC says that optimizing parts of a system is often counter-productive and can cause the larger system to function poorly. A focus on the “global” or system optimum is much more likely to give better results.

What is Critical Chain Project Management?

Critical Chain Project Management is a TOC-based approach to managing projects. It focuses on managing the project’s critical chain (the longest sequence of dependent tasks), using buffers strategically, and prioritizing resource allocation. This method helps to minimize delays and improve project completion times.

What is Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR)?

Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) is a production management method from TOC designed to optimize the flow of resources through a system. The “drum” sets the pace of production based on the system’s constraint, the “buffer” protects the constraint from disruptions, and the “rope” ensures that the system is paced and kept in sync with the drum.

What is a “buffer” in DBR?

In DBR, a buffer is a strategic reserve of time or inventory that protects the constraint from disruptions, ensuring that the constraint always has work to do and is always producing. It allows the system to absorb variations in production and maintain consistent throughput.

What is a “rope” in DBR?

In DBR, the “rope” is the communication mechanism that ensures that upstream activities are in sync with the drum’s schedule. The rope helps the system maintain flow and minimize excess work in process (WIP).

What is TOC-Based Replenishment Optimization?

TOC-based Replenishment Optimization is an inventory management approach that focuses on actual demand rather than forecasts. It strategically places inventory buffers and adjusts replenishment based on real-time consumption, which helps to minimize stockouts and excess inventory and improve cash flow.

How can TOC help with Lead Generation?

TOC helps to identify the core conflict your ideal customers are facing, helping us to identify the best prospects and to then create a value proposition that speaks directly to their needs. We will then build systems and use AI to connect with these prospects.

How can TOC help me create an Unrefusable Offer?

We use the Thinking Processes to examine all aspects of your business and your target market to identify your unique advantages and to create an offer that is compelling and that meets all of your ideal customers’ needs.

What is “Operational Excellence” and how does TOC help with it?

Operational excellence means your company can consistently and reliably deliver the value that has been promised to the customer. We use TOC to identify constraints in your system that hold you back and we then help you eliminate these constraints and optimize your business operations for maximum throughput and reliability.

What is the Evaporating Cloud (Conflict Resolution Diagram)?

The Evaporating Cloud is a Thinking Process tool used to analyze conflicts and identify the assumptions that cause them. By challenging these assumptions, we can resolve the conflict and move the system forward.

What is a Future Reality Tree?

A Future Reality Tree is a Thinking Process tool used to map out a desired future and identify the necessary changes to achieve it. It helps to visualize the logical connections between actions and outcomes so that we can design new business practices that lead to consistent success.

Questions About Artificial Intelligence (AI)

How do you use AI in your services?

We leverage AI to enhance our services, including data analysis, identifying trends, and automating various business processes. We use AI to augment our human analysis skills to better serve our clients. We are committed to ensuring that AI is an effective servant for your business.

How can AI help with lead generation?

AI-powered tools can analyze online data to identify prospects likely to be interested in your value proposition. We use AI to personalize engagement and qualification processes, and to ensure that you are getting the most value from your marketing efforts.

How can AI help with resource optimization?

AI can analyze complex resource allocation challenges and identify optimal solutions that you could not arrive at using conventional methods. AI tools will help you ensure that your resources are applied to the areas that need them most, and with maximum efficiency.

How can AI improve my business processes?

AI can streamline processes by automating routine tasks, optimizing resource allocation, and providing data-driven insights for better decision making. We can also use AI to provide intelligent and context-sensitive support to your customers. AI can transform the way that you do business.

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