Nicolay Gerold

Here’s his 5-step process:

1/ Question every requirement

Never except that a requirement came from a department, such as from “the legal department” or “the safety department”. Requirements from smart people are dangerous because people are less likely to question them.

2/ Delete any part or process you can

You may have to add them back later. In fact, if you do not end up adding back at least 10% of them, then you didn’t delete enough.

3/ Simplify and optimize

This should come AFTER step two.

4/ Accelerate cycle time

Every process can be speeded up. But only do this AFTER you have followed the first three steps.

5/ Automate

That comes last. Wait until all requirements have been questioned, parts and processes deleted, and the bugs were shaken out.

There were also additional “rules” to the Algorithm including:

1/ Camaraderie is dangerous. It makes it hard for people to challenge each other’s work.

2/ All technical managers must have hands-on experience. Otherwise, they are like a cavalry leader who can’t ride a horse or a general who can’t use a sword.

3/ The only rules are the ones dictated by the laws of physics. Everything else is a recommendation.