The Affect of Biases on Maximizing Value

Monday, June 25, 2012 9:24 PM by Betty Brennan in Other


Lately, the management team at Taylor Studios has had some lively discussions on how to maximize the value of the exhibits we produce.    The crux of the challenge centers around recognizing naturally occurring department and company biases that that can result in decisions, made with good intentions, that may be counter to maximizing value delivered.  For example:

Department Bias – Internal departments (Exhibit Design, Project Management, and Fabrication) have built in biases that must be acknowledged and managed to best serve the client.  For example, an exhibit designer may have a bias to create original designs for every component when using selected stock component designs would allow the project budget to do more.  A project manager may have a bias to achieve a material budget on a purchased component at the expense of long term reliability.  A Production Manager may have a bias for maximizing fabrication efficiency to such a degree that the uniqueness of each design is compromised.

Company Bias – Taylor Studios is proud of its experience and reputation for creating scientifically accurate natural history exhibits.  We believe paying attention to the minutia is important.  How does that bias affect our approach to designing and fabricating a children’s play area within an exhibit?  Do we automatically assume the client requires the level of scientific accuracy we’re proud to deliver?  Do we have a culture that thinks whimsical is bad?  Do we explain the affect on budget if the exhibit is looser and more whimsical?

Fortunately, our Taylor Studio’s Mission Statement, which is referenced often, has a lot to say about how we will manage these biases going forward.  Let me know what your experiences with department and company biases have been.

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