Do Not Confuse The L-curve With The E-curve … The Sparrow That Hopped Off The E-curve A One Big Idea Consulting Limited R+D Workbook AUTHORISED EXTRACT

The L-Curve is shorthand for the ‘Learning Curve’ and is perhaps the best researched statistical tool in the manager;s tool-box. It is not be confused with the E-Curve Which is the ‘Experience Curve’ What is the ‘L-Curve ? Technical Note No.1 AUTHORISED EXTRACT

Bruce Henderson who founded the Boston Consulting Group (BCG ) ™ in the USA, resurrected the L-Curve with stunning clarity in the 1960’s. BCG has done more than any other firm to propagate the use of the L-Curve in management throughout the world; with the exception of Robert H. Schaffer who founded RHS&A ™ at about the same time. In terms of project applications Robert Schaffer remains Magister Ludi … his ‘Breakthrough’ strategies set the standard throughout the world. Technical Note No.2 Henderson & Schaffer AUTHORISED EXTRACT

In the 1980’s Dr. Rodney J. Blanckenberg an independent strategy and productivity consultant founded Management Development & Research. Based in South Africa MD&R ™ became the pathfinder in modeling The ‘Integration of R+D into Business Management Flows’ with the prime focus on the L-Curve. MD&R ™ explored the L-Curve further in the 1990’s in more than a thousand 100-Day Action Projects ™ throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The common believe in academic teachings Was that the Learning-Curve was synonymous with the Experience-Curve proved to be wrong. Dr. Rodney J. Blanckenberg Technical Note No.3 AUTHORISED EXTRACT

Never abandon the E-Curve when times are tough - Trim your wings … Adjust your flight pattern maybe But just fly with it... Always Chart Before You Change ™ Test any new L-curve At your own pace And in your own time … And even then one very best next step at a time.. Chart Before Change ™ AUTHORISED EXTRACT

Some evolutionists claim this little sparrow’s story proves some important Darwinian rules for survival of a species – Whatever species it may be – reptile, mammal or anthropoid like humans. The First Rule is: Someone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy. The Second Rule is: Anyone who gets you out of the crap is not necessarily your friend. The Third Rule is the most important one: If you’re warm and well fed, even if you are in deep doo-doo Don’t thrash around and attract attention. You are wise if you just keep your big mouth shut until you figure out your very best next step On the path to safety and survival. Epilog