![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.improvementscience.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/RAG.jpg\" "\\"RAG\\"")
<\/a>It is interesting to observe\u00a0what can happen when the same\u00a0tool is\u00a0applied\u00a0in\u00a0a strategic and in\u00a0a tactical context. An\u00a0\u00a0example is the RAG (Red Amber Green) method for reporting\u00a0status.\u00a0 The principle is that the colour indicates what to do: Green = Relax;\u00a0 Amber =\u00a0Alert; Red =\u00a0React.\u00a0<\/p>\nSounds easy enough so what is the problem?<\/p>\n
The RAG method is designed to indicate\u00a0our\u00a0current status\u00a0but status of what?\u00a0\u00a0Our current position or\u00a0our current course? Our course is given by a series of positions recorded over time on a chart – as a picture – and we use that\u00a0to help us navigate\u00a0– to plan an effective and efficient course to our intended destination.\u00a0 Unexpected things can happen though – we can get swept\u00a0and blown off\u00a0course\u00a0and we may come across an unexpected or unpredictable obstacles on our intended course. So we need to be able to\u00a0navigate\u00a0our way to\u00a0our original destination\u00a0by a new\u00a0route. So\u00a0imagine what could happen if we were only able to compare our current position\u00a0with our\u00a0target position and we only work to\u00a0stay on target. We would\u00a0be unable to adapt to a dynamically changing or unpredictable strategic context – we would be unwise\u00a0to go off position\u00a0because we would get lost.<\/p>\n
So if\u00a0we do not want to lose our\u00a0way then we must ensure\u00a0we know\u00a0what our\u00a0RAG is telling us – our position or our course.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0An important difference between Leaders and Managers is their perception of SpaceTime.\u00a0 Leaders observe from a greater strategic distance so they\u00a0have a wider horizon\u00a0and they\u00a0see more pattern and less detail. They see the forest rather than the trees.\u00a0 Managers observe from a closer tactical vantage so they have a narrower horizon and see less context … <\/p>\n