KIS - Keep It Simple! SIMPLICITY by Edward De Bono

In his book titled SIMPLICITY, Edward de Bono tells about a probable story: 

Ballpoint pens cannot write upside down for any length of time. Ballpoint pens depend on gravity to feed the ink and writing tip, so ballpoints do not function very well on space missions where there may be no gravity. The task was therefore to design a ballpoint pen that would work well in space. At some cost this pen was designed. It is a brilliant little pen that is now generally for sale, Nitrogen under pressure supplies the ink and gravity is not needed.

It is said that the Russian space programme reached the same point. But instead of setting out to design a gravity-free ballpoint, they used a concept. They said to themselves: 'We want something that writes upside down.' 

So they used a pencil. 

The point Edward de Bono is driving home through his book is: SIMPLICITY is a Value, a Habit and an Attitude of mind as much as it is a process.

His compelling arguments on Why Simplicity? are: 

1. From complexity come stress, anxiety and frustration. 
2. Complex old practices are continuing because no one thought of changing them.
3. A self-organizing information system (routines) simplify life both as regards perception and action.
4. There is always the 'possibility' of a simpler way.
5. From a mass of data learn to pick out what really matters. Simplifying judgements and decisions.
6. Regard simplicity as a value.
7. Simple procedures save time, money and energy.
8. There is an aesthetic appeal to simplicity.
9. Complexity for the sake of complexity has no value whatsoever.
10. Simplicity is powerful, because simplicity is a unification around a purpose.

The challenges for Simplicity? are:

1. The first rule of simplicity is that you must want to simplify.
2. Simplicity is not easy. So commitment is needed.
3. One becomes too easily satisfied with the existing protocols. So drive to change is needed.
4. Simplicity should be considered as a value and as a habit.

The Ten Rules of Simplicity are:

1. Rule 1. You need to put a very high value on simplicity.
2. Rule 2. You must be determined to seek simplicity.
3. Rule 3. You need to understand the matter very well.
4. Rule 4. You need to design alternatives and possibilities.
5. Rule 5. You need to challenge and discard existing elements.
6. Rule 6. You need to be prepared to start over again.
7. Rule 7. You need to use concepts.
8. Rule 8. You may need to break things down into smaller units.
9. Rule 9. You need to be prepared to trade off other values for simplicity.
10. Rule 10. You need to know for whose sake the simplicity is being designed.

He lists out several methods, approaches or techniques for Simplicity:

1. Historical review (Is this still necessary?)
2. Shedding, Trimming, Cutting, Slimming etc. (retain only if justified)
3. Listening (end-user perspective)
4. Combining (eliminate and combine)
5. Extracting concepts (why an action is being carried out)
6. Bulk and Expectations (core and non-core activities)
7. Restructuring (re-engineering)
8. Start Afresh (back to basics)
9. Modules and Smaller Units (work breakdown structure)
10. Provocative Amputation (lateral thinking)
11. Wishful Thinking (wish what the process should look like?)
12. Shift Energies (shift focus from one part to other parts of the system)
13. The Ladder Approach (work incrementally, step by step)
14. The Flavour Approach (Design the big picture, and then make it practical and concrete)

SIMPLICITY is a thought provoking book, and it is of high value in today's context of hustle, complexity and dynamic changes. Books like IGIKAI and philosophy of MINIMALISM (Less is More) are increasing gaining popularity and getting into the mainstream thinking and lifestyle.  This book was first published in 1998, so it's quite interesting to see Edward De Bono's his pioneering thinking several decades ago. You can give this book a detailed reading and let's KIS - Keep It Simple!