Managers are not confronted with problems that are independent of each other, but with dynamic situations that consist of complex systems of changing problems that interact with each other. I call such situations messes. Problems are extracted from messes by… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
Every problem interacts with other problems and is therefore part of a set of interrelated problems, a system of problems…. I choose to call such a system a mess. — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
Creativity is the ability to identify self-imposed constraints, remove them, and explore the consequences of their removal. — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
Managers who don't know how to measure what they want settle for wanting what they can measure. — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
A bureaucrat is one who has the power to say "no" but none to say "yes." — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
A problem never exists in isolation; it is surrounded by other problems in space and time. The more of the context of a problem… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
“Contrary to the impression that the educational system promulgates, there are no absolute answers to questions; the correct answer to a question depends on… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
Most corporate mission statements are worthless. They consist largely of pious platitudes such as: "We will hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
“Reality consists of sets of interacting problems, systems of problems we call “messes.” As previously noted, problems are abstractions extracted from reality by analysis.… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
“Those involved in the redesign process must know what they would do if they could do whatever they wanted. Such knowledge is essential if… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
“Cizek came to Vienna [from Leitmeritz, a small town in Bohemia, then Austrian] when he was twenty [in 1885], and entered the Academy of… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
The future is better dealt with using assumptions than forecasts. — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
“One might wonder how on earth learning came to be seen primarily a result of teaching. Until quite recently, the world’s great teachers were… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
The more efficient you are at doing the wrong thing, the wronger you become. It is much better to do the right thing wronger… — Russell L. Ackoff Copy Share Image
![“Cizek came to Vienna [from Leitmeritz, a small town in Bohemia, then Austrian] when he was twenty [in 1885], and entered the Academy of Fine Arts. He lodged with a poor family, where, fortunately, there were children. These children saw him painting and drawing, and they wanted, as Cizek has so…” quote by Russell L. Ackoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d1/russell-l-ackoff-12928_art_cizek-came-to-vienna-from-leitmeritz-a-s_694148.jpg)
