Continuous improvement Quote by Russell L. Ackoff
““Those involved in the redesign process must know what they would do if they could do whatever they wanted. Such knowledge is essential if they are to set meaningful goals for the future. The outcome of such a design is idealized in the sense that the resulting system is ideal seeking, not ideal. It should be subject to continuous improvement with further experience and changing environments. The only certainty is that some of whatever we think we will want five or ten years from now will not be wanted then. Such a vision should be inspiring, a work of art. It should facilitate making short-run sacrifices for the sake of longer-run gains.””
About This Quote
Designing future systems requires imagination of ideal goals, continuous improvement, and willingness to sacrifice short‑term gains for long‑term benefits, acknowledging that future desires will change.
In simple terms: Plan ideal goals, improve constantly, accept changing needs.
Key Takeaway
Design with flexibility and long‑term vision.
Themes
design
future
improvement
vision
Mood
inspirational
pragmatic
Type
strategic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- product development
- strategic planning
- policy making
- personal goal setting
Key Concepts
systems thinking
idealization
continuous learning
Questions to Reflect On
- What short‑term sacrifices are worth it?
- How can we stay adaptable to changing goals?
A Different Perspective
Ideal visions may be unrealistic or costly.
![“Design [is] the emerging ethos formulating and then answering a very new question: What shall we do now, in the face of the chaos that we have created?” quote by John Hockenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c9d/john-hockenberry-38019_chaos_design-is-the-emerging-ethos-formulating_2838055.jpg)
![“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)
