ZERO TIME, ZERO MISTAKE, ZERO COST - A New Way to Work

Being able to solve a problem faster, better and cheaper has been the wish of many people. Many books have been written with respect to either time management, quality control/assurance, cost control or the likes. However, if you apply those time management principle in isolation, you may compromise quality. Likewise, if you apply those cost control principle in isolation, you may compromise quality. Nevertheless, if you apply those quality control principle in isolation, you may compromise time and cost. In the end, many people just accept the so called balance between time, quality and cost. Note : In this context, the term quality also include safety, health, environment (SHE) and reputation. To the writer, achieving that perceived balance between these three important values to solve a problem is not good enough. You want to do things faster but nonetheless better and cheaper, don't you. In this book, in order to fulfill that wish to achieve the three important values without compromising each other values, the writer will not talk about time, quality and cost in isolation, but in totality. The writer will also introduce the terms zero time, zero mistake, zero cost and a problem solving principle. When a problem occur (or when your customer make an order) and you solve the problem (or deliver the required product/ service) immediately, you are deemed to do it at zero time. When the problem do not recur after you have solved the problem (or when your final product/service is accepted and no subsequent rejection is made), you are deemed to do it with zero mistake. When you solve the problem with no out-of-pocket money, you are deemed to do it with zero cost. Note: In this context, you are allowed to make mistake in your initial product in order to make zero mistake in your final product. When you act before the problem occur (or when you deliver the product/service before the customer make the order), you are deemed to do it with negative time. When you solve the problem once and for all (or when you deliver a product/ service that exceed your customer's requirement), you are deemed to do it with negative mistake. When you make money, instead of incurring cost while you solve the problem, you are deemed to do it with negative cost. That's impossible to be achieved. But that was also the remarks when somebody gave an idea of going to the moon. To achieve the three zeros, the writer believes in three things; a strong desire for the three negatives, a problem solving principle which is practicable but designed to achieve the three negatives and the confidence that it will work sooner or later. This is a new way to work. We should target to achieve negative time, negative mistake and negative cost as in the real world, there are a lot of unforeseeable things that can obstruct our way. If we can't achieve the negatives, we may settle with the zeros. But if we target to achieve the zeros, then we may end up with the positives. The problem solving principle which will be introduced by the writer is designed so that you will be close enough to achieve the three zeros, if not the three negatives by integrating the chosen formulas of getting the work done faster, better and cheaper. Chapter 1: In The Space will explain the philosophies behind the problem solving principle uphold by this book. Chapter 2: In The Air will illustrate the ingredients of this problem solving principle i.e. the formulas of getting the work done faster, better and cheaper which were derived from the philosophies explained in Chapter 1. The terms/formulas used in this book may not be having the same meaning as what you might have understood before reading this book. Well, it is the intended function that matter most, not what you call it. Chapter 3: Down To Earth will explain how the formulas stated in Chapter 2 were applied in piece meal basis to manage fast track projects by some reputable companies in the world. Chapter 4: The Principle will illustrate how the formulas are integrated to form a simple but yet effective and efficient problem solving principle. The ways on how this problem solving principle can be applied to solve simple to complicated problems are explained in Chapter 5: Application. The Conclusion will summarize the contents of this book and anticipating the next edition in the near future. If you have made up your mind before reading the whole book that its contents will not help you to achieve your desired zero time, zero mistake and zero cost, then the writer suggests that you take this book home, understand and integrate the contents with your way of thinking. Then you will see that your three zeros are not really that far away. If you think that there will be nothing new to you in this book, look at it again, look at the definition of the terms used and if you are sure that it's nothing new, then you may take that this book is supporting and justifying your thinking/action in terms of time, quality and cost management.