Rules

Simple Rules is a term used for a technique used to drive behavior and decision making in complex systems. In their book, Kathleen Eisenhardt and Donald Sull define a set of Simple Rules as:

• A handful of guidelines
• Tailored to the user and the task at hand
• Which balance concrete guidance with the freedom to exercise judgment

It recognizes that in complex systems, the decision architecture should emphasize flexibility more than consistency. Simple rules work best in unstructured decision making environments, where alignment across the organization can be a challenge. At the other end of the spectrum is the use of automated rules in highly structured decision making environments.

Eisenhardt and Sull identified 6 categories of Simple Rules they have seen, and stressed that they often work together in concert:

1. Boundary Rules - cover what is acceptable for specific people or teams to do
2. Prioritization Rules - cover what is more important to do
3. Stopping Rules - cover what to stop doing and when
4. How To Rules - covers basics of specific activities or making certain kinds of decisions
5. Coordination Rules - covers getting things done when multiple actors have to work together
6. Timing Rules - covers getting things done when rhythms, sequences, or deadlines are relevant

Strategic decision makers can distill their strategic direction or path into simple rules to guide the transition to action. The rules can support the transition from a strategic choice to the guiding policies for action that should follow.

Example Syntax:

"<In this situation> do <this>.”

For more:

• "Simple Rules: How To Thrive in a Complex World", Kathleen Eisenhardt and Donald Sull.