NON VALET INGENIUM NISI FACTA VALEBUNT
- Marty Schad
- Nov 1, 2018
- 2 min read
The title of this week’s newsletter is in Latin.
It translates as:
Our skill isn’t worth a damn unless what we have made will work.
This is an inscription on a painting attributed to Giorgione. In the painting, a master is testing an astrolabe, an instrument for celestial measurements, while a boy watches him.
This quote resonates with me because it describes my approach to and passion for working on processes. The processes that are created or dramatically improved must really work and be “bulletproof”. If it doesn’t work, our skills are not really worth a damn because it will not have a positive impact for the company.
Working in this context means:
If a research concept cannot be scaled up, why it cannot be scaled is quantitatively understood and cleverly worked around if possible. Work is not stopped simply because it got too difficult.
Production processes are reliable and profitable, and predictable for the operators.
Not working in this context means:
Research concepts that failed to advance and are treated with indifference (rather than as learning opportunities).
Production processes with chronic unresolved problems that are not understood or improved.
Equipment that does not address the (true) process needs and ultimately becomes an expensive boat anchor.
My main learning from this line of thinking is how this quote can focus attention on the task and project at hand. Focus and seriousness of purpose are prerequisites to the creation of robust and profitable manufacturing processes.
(Thanks to Wade Roush for publishing this quote on his web site. Translation by F.T. Prince)
YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK
Please think about NON VALET INGENIUM NISI FACTA VALEBUNT Our skill isn’t worth a damn unless what we have made will work…
Do your research and development personnel feel a hunger to make things that work and make it into production?
Are your Process and Equipment groups delivering profitable and robust processes? Are your processes getting better over time? What is the evidence for this?
If this quote resonated with you, please let me know. Please send your thoughts to me at marty@martyschad.com, or call me at 508-410-8081. I would enjoy discussing this with you!
All the Best, Marty
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