[Tip of the Month]
[Books]
[Events]
[Contact Information]
The Ringelmann Effect and Batch Size
I normally stress the technical advantages of reducing batch size in
product development processes. It is worth recognizing that reducing batch size
also has profound psychological effects. In 1913 the French professor of
agricultural engineering identified what is now known as the Ringelmann effect.
The maximum pull on a rope by a group of people is less than the sum of their
individual maximums. The efficiency loss is due to coordination losses and
a phenomenon known as social loafing. Social loafing refers to the
tendency for some individuals to reduce their effort when they are a member of a
group. When there are many people pulling on a rope individual effort is
less visible.
This helps us understand the psychological disadvantages
of large batch size. When we use large batch sizes in development processes we
inherently reduce motivation. Consider the difference in being responsible for 1
module of code due in 1 week, compared to being responsible for 1 module in a
batch of 100 modules that is due in 10 weeks. If you are responsible for a
single module due at a short time horizon, there is nowhere to hide. You feel
accountable. If you are buried in a batch of 100 modules due in 10 weeks, there
is a small probability that you will personally delay the project. You think you
have plenty of time to recover from any problems. Large batches inherently
dilute accountability and reduce motivation. They undermine urgency. You
will be pleasantly surprised by the psychological benefits of using smaller
batch sizes.
Our books can be obtained from many on-line
sources. Currently we recommend Amazon as a
source for Developing Products in Half the Time and Managing the
Design Factory.
and the Forthcoming Book
Chapters of the new book on Lean Product Development will be ready for review
in May. Contact me if you would like an early look at what I hope will be some
important new ideas.
[Return to Top of Page]
Public courses are shown below. Please contact us directly
for information about in-company courses. We have done such courses
in the United States and 18 other countries.
July 8, 2008
-
Practical Lean Product Development, Presentation
Parametric Technology Executive Forum: Reinventing Product Development, Seoul,
Korea
By invitation only.
Information: Parametric Technology
July 10, 2008
-
Practical Lean Product Development, Presentation
Parametric Technology Executive Forum: Reinventing Product Development, Shanghai,
China
By invitation only.
Information: Parametric Technology
July 15-16, 2008
- Lean Product Development Summit,Shanghai, China
Public Event. More details later.
July 22-23, 2008
- Achieving Lean Product Development, Chicago, Illinois
Information: Management
Roundtable
- SOLD OUT, but there is a waiting list in case
someone cancels.
August 11-12, 2008
- Rapid Development, Sydney, Australia
Masterclass Information: Prodex
August 13-14, 2008
- Managing the Design Factory, Melbourne, Australia
Masterclass Information: Prodex
August 15, 2008
- FLOW: Second Generation Methods for Lean Product Development, Sydney, Australia
Seminar Information: Prodex
August 18, 2008
- New Principles for Developing Products in Half the Time, Brisbane, Australia
Seminar Information: Prodex
September 3, 2008
-
Practical Lean Product Development, Presentation
Parametric Technology Executive Forum: Reinventing Product Development, Taipei,
Taiwan
By invitation only.
Information: Parametric Technology
September 5, 2008
-
Practical Lean Product Development, Presentation
Parametric Technology Executive Forum: Reinventing Product Development, Japan,
Taiwan
By invitation only.
Information: Parametric Technology
Fall 2008
- Lean Product Development, Midlands, England.
Information: Smallpeice Enterprises Limited
Fall 2008
- Rapid Product Development Techniques, Midlands, England.
Information: Smallpeice Enterprises Limited
-
- [Return to Top of Page]
![[Dividing Line Image]](images/div1.gif)
- Telephone
- 310-373-5332
- FAX
- 310-373-5093
- Postal address
- 600 Via Monte D'Oro Redondo Beach, CA 90277 U.S.A.
- Email
- General Information: Don
Reinertsen
Webmaster: webmaster@ReinertsenAssociates.com
[Return to Top of Page]
Send mail to webmaster@ReinertsenAssociates.com
with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1999-2008 Reinertsen & Associates
Last Update: July 5, 2008