Decision Making (தீர்வு காணல்)

Decision Tree ( தீர்வு கிளையமைப்பு)

In the following two Kurals, the great sage brought out important factors to be considered, before selection of a task or project. If the analysis reveal,  adverse factors that would impede the progress, then efforts should be made to consider all alternative options before zeroing down to the best one to ensure success. This kural advises exactly that principle to be borne in mind.

ஒல்லும்வாய் எல்லாம் வினைநன்றே ஒல்லாக்கால்
செல்லும்வாய் நோக்கிச் செயல் (673) 

Ollumvaai ellaam vinainandre ollaakkaal

Sellumvaai nokkich cheyal. 

செயலைச் செய்து முடிக்க முடியும் என்று உறுதியானால் மட்டுமே செய்யத் துவங்க வேண்டும்; முடியாது என்று தோன்றினால் வேறு வழிகளை ஆராய்ந்து சிறந்த வழியைத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து செயல்படுத்த வேண்டும்.

Procrastination of Decision( முடிவை காலந்தாழ்த்தல்)

Tiruvalluvar, while advocating certain actions, brings out  the good effects of certain action and in order to highlight the great importance of the message, he also provides adverse effect of not following the dictum in another couplet. This Kural is one of many. 

In “Kural “ above, he touched upon the need  of careful planning and analysis, before launching any activity and in the couplet below, he stresses ill effects of delayed decision once detailed planning and analysis is completed. In some concerns, lot of importance is given for detailed planning. However the chief executive drags his feet to take timely decision and the whole system gets in to “Analysis Paralysis Syndrome” and in the process would miss great opportunities.

While in previous  couplets, planning and analysis before carrying out an activity were stressed, in this, Tiruvalluvar admonishes the tendency to shy away from taking timely decision, with consequent adverse effect on the final outcome.

சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது (671)

Soozhchi Mudivu Thunivaithal Aththunivu
Thaazhchiyul Thanguthal Theethu              

திட்டமிடுதலின் எல்லை ஒரு செயலை செய்வதற்க்கு வேண்டிய முடிவு
எடுப்பதற்கே. பிறகும், காலம் தாழ்த்துவது, தவறாகும்.

  

 The end result of planning is decision making only and to delay it  any further is wrong. 

Planning in ISRO

ISRO had given top most priority for Planning. As already mentioned, the gestation period for any launch vehicle project is between a  minimum of 5 years to even 7 years and costs millions of rupees. Hence there is a vital need for meticulous planning and analysis before cutting the metal. Any typical project of ISRO runs through the following cycle.

• Mission :  First, the objective and  final goal of the project based on the countries requirements like Remote sensing, communication etc. is stipulated with overall Schedule and cost enveloppe. 
• Project Study Phase :  where in an inter centre, inter disciplinary experts are chosen by the top management to work under a study Director to make threadbear analysis of all options considering the Satellite weight ( Payload), Orbit requirements, Budget ,Time, Expertise available in house and outside, Technology development Requirements, Range safety, potential challenges, Infrastructure Development/ availability, manpower and recommends the most suitable candidate / candidates. This is followed by selection of the optimum configuration and is submitted for management approval.
• Project Report :A project director is appointed with an approved configuration and is vested with the responsibility of preparing a detailed  Project Report  for approval of ISRO Chairman and subsequently by Government.
• Design and Development : This is followed by system concept Review, Preliminary Design and its review(PDR), Critical Design and it's Review(CDR), Proto model fabrication, Ground Development and Quality assurance Tests, followed by Quality Review, First Flight worthy model production and it's review( First article configuration checks), Interface compatibility of subsystems etc

This is done for Launch Vehicle Systems ( Rocket), Satellite, Test Facilities and Launch Facilities, softwares like Trajectory analysis, structural analysis, command and control system with on board and ground computers alike.

At every stage, impact analysis is made and mid course corrections are implemented. Nothing is left to chance as Rocket launch does not tolerate even slightest error. 

Successful  development of SLV, ASLV, PSLV and present GSLV stand  testimony to the adherence to the principles of  long range and operational Planning of ISRO .

ISRO had followed  the advice rendered by Great Poet Tiruvalluvar, who could think  all intricate management principles even 2000 years back !

Planning (திட்டமிடுதல்)

The couplet below brings forth the importance of Planning. Though the message is obvious, there are many projects languishing on account of bad planning and in many cases the whole project has to be abandoned involving high cost and time. During the planning phase, expert’s assistance should be taken for counseling. However, once the plan is finalised after detailed deliberations,  there should not be any after thought and revision of  the frozen plan, as that would destabilise the whole project, resulting in  wastage of resources and precious time. American President Abraham Lincoln’s quotation of “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe” is very apt in this context. 

எண்ணித் துணிக கருமம் துணிந்தபின்

எண்ணுவம் என்பது இழுக்கு (467)

Enni Thuniga Karumam Thuninthapin

Ennuvam Enpathu Izhukku

நன்கு திட்டமிட்ட பிறகே வேலையைத் தொடங்க வேண்டும்

தொடங்கி விட்டு பின் திட்டமிடுவது மோசம்

A task should  be undertaken only after careful planning: Reviewing a plan after the task is taken up will be totally wrong.

  

Planning Process (திட்ட செயல்முறை )

The following “Kural” enunciates the absolute need to carry out planning before embarking upon a task or project through in-depth analysis of a project’s objectives, followed by detailed parametric impact analysis considering the various possible obstacles as well as overall final gain that will accrue at the end. In short, it advises the need for good home work to avoid “ taking decision in haste and suffering in leisure” syndrome. It is in fact, reinstatement of the earlier couplet to stress the importance of ‘ cost benefit analysis’.This also stresses the need for estimating ‘ Return on investment (ROI) before zeroing on the task.  

He deals with, important factors to be taken in to account during the planning process. It is amazing to observe  that he had compressed in a nut shell present day selection process of  carrying out parametric analysis, of important factors influencing the task, preceding the launch of a project, product or services. This brings to light, the highly developed status of society prevailing at that  time.    

முடிவும் இடையூறும் முற்றியாங்கு    
படுபயனும் பார்த்துச் செயல் (676)
      
 Mudivum Idaiyurum Mutrriyangu
 Padupayanum Parththuch Cheyal

(ஒரு செயலை தொடுங்கும் முன் அதனுடைய) இலக்கையும், இடையில்     

 ஏற்படக்கூடிய தடைகளையும், முடிவில் அடையப் போகும் பலனையும்

 ஆராய்ந்த பின்னரே செய்ய வேண்டும்.

 A task or a project  should be undertaken only after analyzing   

 the  set goal, likely obstacles to be faced and overall gains that

 will be attained at the end. 

Aspects of Planning ( திட்டத்தின் அம்சங்கள் )   

  
 பொருள் கருவி காலம் வினையிடனொடு ஐந்தும்
  இருள்தீர எண்ணிச் செயல் (675)

  Porul Karuvi Kaalam Vinaiidanodu Ayendhum
  Irultheera Ennich Cheyal
          
  வேண்டிய பொருள்,ஏற்ற கருவி,தக்க காலம்,மேற்கொள்ளப்போகும்

 தொழில் அதற்குரிய இடம் ஆகிய ஐந்தினையும் குழப்பமின்றி எண்ணி  

  செயல் பட வேண்டும். 

Clear Identification of the task, needed Resources, infrastructure,

the appropriate  time and the most suitable location are five important parameters to be analysed without confusion before taking decision to start a task or project.

SWOT Analysis (Strength , Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) Analysis (வலிமை, பலவீனம், வாய்ப்பு, அபாயம்) – பகுப்பாய்வு

The success of any organisation depends upon careful analysis of its strong points, inherent weakness, opportunities available for exploitation and  threat. The brilliant poet had covered all these aspects in the following Couplets. He advises basic requirements before embarking upon a task or a project.

Strength ( வலிமை )

The sage defines strength as the strength or relevance of the task, competency existing with self and strength of the rivals (competitors) in that field, as well as strength of friends (from whom help can be sought in case of need) before embarking on a new task or a project. 

வினைவலியும் தன்வலியும் மாற்றான் வலியும்
துணைவலியும் தூக்கிச் செயல் (471 )

Vinai Valiyum Thanvaiyum Maatraan Valiyum
Thunaivaliyum Thookkich Cheyal.

செயலின்  சக்தி, தன்னுடைய பலம், எதிரியின்  வீரியம், நண்பர்களின்  வலிமை ஆகியவற்றை நன்காறாய்ந்த பிறகே  செயலில்  இறங்க வேண்டும்.

One must assess the power of the task, strength available with self  to achieve the objective, competitor’s  strength in the field and support available from friends ( in case of need) before embarking upon the task or project.  

Weakness ( பலவீனம்)

The strength of any organization cannot be same at all places and in all areas. What is applicable in one country or location may not be suitable for other, owing to the cultural difference, weather, people’s mind set, Rules and regulations of Government in charge, political set up etc. Hence, a concern, when planning to expand in to other territory should study the major differences that confront the company and make suitable adjustments. A company will have enormous strength in one product/ area being it’s core competency and can utterly fail in new venture.  It is a beautiful analogy comparing two objects extremely strong in it’s home turf but utterly weak in another area. This is a strong message to everyone intending to relocate or expand the business beyond their comfort zone. One solid example is the case of the highly successful retail chain stores Wallmart is yet to taste success in china though it is highly successful in USA and all other countries.

கடல் ஒடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர்; கடல் ஓடும்
நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து (496)

Kadal Oada Kaalvl Nedunther Kadal Oadum
Naavayum Oada Nilaththu

வலிமையான சக்கரங்கள் பூட்டிய பெரிய தேர் கடலில் செல்ல இயலாது ; அது  போலவே கடலில் விரைந்து செல்லும் கப்பலால் நிலத்தில் ஓட முடியாது

The mighty chariot with strong wheels can not be driven in sea; same way, the sailing ship on the  sea cannot be propelled on the land.

OPPORTUNITY (வாய்ப்பு)

Innovation ( புதுமை)

This couplet exhorts the CEO, is to constantly look for new opportunities and utilize it for betterment of the company despite difficulties. There is a saying “ opportunity is never lost; Someone else takes it”. There is also another saying that “opportunity never knocks the door twice”. Many miss opportunity as they fail to recognize it as opportunity in the first place. Some develop cold feet, if they encounter difficulty during execution of the task and conclude it would be insurmountable. Nature bless only the brave. Google and Apple depend mainly on innovation and introduce unique products or services at regular intervals to keep themselves ahead of competitors. Well analysed problem is in fact is opportunity in disguise. As one in lighter vein commented “opportunities do come; only problem is, they are never punctual!”
Hence, one must always be equipped himself to utilize any opportunity that may come at any time.   

எய்தற்கு அரியது இயந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே
செய்தற்கு அரிய செயல் (489)
  

Eytharkku Ariyathu Iyanthakkaal Annilaiye
Saitharku Ariya Seyal.

கிடைப்பதற்குதற்கு அரிய வாய்ப்பு வாய்க்குமானால்,உடனேயே, செயல் கடினமாக  இருப்பினும், சிறப்பாக செய்து முடிக்க வேண்டும்.         

         

Opportunity is a rare occurrence. However, when it comes along,one should grab the same and carry out the task in an unique manner, even if it appears  near to impossibility.      

Timing (தக்க சமயம்)

This couplet reinstates the message conveyed in the earlier ‘Kural’ and stresses the importance of identifying the opportunity and timing as well as the need for preparedness. There is saying that ‘when preparedness meets opportunity success results”. In this couplet, the great sage categorically declares that nothing is impossible to achieve if perfect timing and proper means are put together.

அருவினை என்ப உளவோ கருவியான்
காலம் அறிந்து செயின் (483) 

 Aruvinai Enba Ulavo Karuviyaan
 Kaalam Arinthu Seyin.     

 தகுந்த காலத்தில் வேண்டிய சாதனங்களுடன் செயல்பட்டால்
 செய்ய முடியாத செயலே இல்லை.

 If one selects the most opportune time and needed means, no 

 objective is  impossible  to  achieve.

 Opportune Time (சாதகமான   தருணம்)

Here, the Poet brings out the strategy needed in facing the rivals. If a king selects the best time, (finding the weak spots of the enemy) and launch his campaign he can win over even stronger opponent. In other words, strength can be achieved by proper timing. It holds good in all areas of business ventures to tide over the competition. A classic example is the success storey of vessel cleaning powder ‘Sabena’. By introducing a high quality product sold at reasonable low price and aggressive marketing, it cornered big chunk of the market controlled by powerful Multinational whose products were priced very high. Here the company studied the requirement of the masses and targeted them by suitable pricing to win over more established powerful rivals who were servicing upper middle class. 

 பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை இகல்வெல்லும்
 வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது ( 481)      

 Pagal Vellum Kookyai Kaakkai Igalvellum
Vendarkku Vendum Pozhuthu

   

பகலில் ஆந்தையை காக்கை வென்று விடும்; சரியான தருணத்தில் அரசனும் தன்னுடன் வலிமையான  எதிரியை வெல்ல முடியும்.

In the daytime a crow can beat an owl (stronger bird); by selecting the  time  advantageous to him, a king can beat much stronger enemy.

Threat ( ஆபத்து / அபாயம்)  

The couplet enumerates the lurking danger looming large over a person who does not forecast the potential danger and take adequate precaution to save against it. He is like a haystack lying idle before an advancing fire. Here, the poet being the master of analogy compares the person as dump as an inanimate haystack, which can not even sense the approaching fire. For any CEO, Threat perception is the most important quality to be possessed in the present ever changing global competitive environment. The threat can be in the form of a competitor launching a better product at cheaper price, or change in Government regulations or a disruptive technology upsetting all profit and loss calculations. It can also come in the form of a crisis due to an unlawful act by company executives. He has not only to forecast the danger all the time, but also take precautionary steps in time to ward off the ill effects on his organization.He can not just wish it away as a mute spectator. In the absence of affirmative action, the concern is doomed to get in to uncontrollable, insurmountable problems threatening the very existence of it

வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்’
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும் (435)

 Varumunnark Kaavaathaan Vazhkkai Erimunnar
 Vaiththooru Polak Kedum

 எதிர்காலத்தில் வரக்கூடியெ அபாயத்தை ஆலோசித்து தன்னை காத்துக்  கொள்ளாதவன் வாழ்க்கை நெருப்புக்கருகில் உள்ள வைக்கல் போர்  போல் கெட்டு அழியும்.

The life of One who does not analyse the lurking danger and take adequate precautions to save himself will get destroyed like a haystack in presence of fire. 

அஞ்சுவது அஞ்சாமை பேதமை அஞ்சுவது
அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில் (428)

 Anjuvathu Anjaamai Pethamai Anjuvathu
 Anjal Arivaar Thozheil

 அஞ்ச வேண்டியதற்கு  அஞ்சாமல் இருப்பது முட்டாள்தனமானது : அறிஞ்ஞர்கள்  என்றுமே நியாயமாக  அஞ்சப்படுவதற்கு  அஞ்சியே நடப்பார்கள்

        
 It is the foolish  not to be afraid of things to be afraid of : Wise fear  what should  be feared.    

Achievement (சாதனை)

In this couplet Tiruvalluvar brings in to focus “ High thinking “ which determines his raise.  In the life “ Attitude determines Altitude “ is brought out  with the beautiful analogy.

      

 There can be another interpretation too for this couplet. As one’s position  in an organisation or society in general, gets higher and higher, he must  also raise his stature to be worthy of the level he attains, failing which, he  would get drowned. 

வெள்ளத்தனைய மலர் நீட்டம் மாந்தர்தம்

உள்ளத் தனையது உயர்வு (595)

Vellaththanaiya Malar Neetam Manthartham

Ullath Thanaiyathu Uyarvu   

      
நீர்ப் பூக்களின் நீளம் அவை நிற்கும் நீர் மட்டத்தை போல, வாழ்கையின் உயர்வும் ஒருவரது உள்ளத்தின் நிலையை  பொருத்தே அமையும்.

Like position of  water flower is determined by the level of water, the  degree of achievement  is dependent upon the mental makeup up of an Individual.